CASTLES EL EJIDO

Built in 1769 atop a rocky Mediterranean promontory near El Ejido, Guardias Viejas Castle served as a coastal defensive battery against pirates and corsairs. This 18th-century fortress, constructed during the reign of Charles III, features a quadrangular design with a courtyard providing access to multiple chambers, including barracks, stables, a powder magazine, and a chapel. After suffering partial destruction during the Peninsular War, the castle was rebuilt in 1817 and declared a Cultural Heritage site in 1985. Today it houses military exhibitions and hosts summer concerts. The site welcomes visitors Tuesday through Friday 15:00–18:00 and Saturday–Sunday 10:00–18:00, closed Mondays.

Torre de Balerma stands on the seafront of El Ejido, Almería, part of an 18th-century coastal defense system commissioned by Charles III to protect against corsairs and maritime threats. Built under engineer Tomás Warluzel's direction starting in 1752, the tower was armed with cannons and connected by a masonry staircase and drawbridge. Throughout the 19th century, it served the carabineros for coastal surveillance. Declared a National Monument in 1949 and a Cultural Heritage Asset in 1985, the well-preserved tower remains freely accessible and exemplifies Spain's sophisticated maritime fortification strategy during the early modern period.