Torre Major Alcanada

torre major

to fend off pirate attacks, mathematician , priest joan binimelis (1538-1616) devised system of watchtowers along balearic coast code of signals warned approach of pirate ships. guards light fires on terraces of towers, using smoke signals day , fires night, or cannon shots, warn local population prepare defense.

the torre major marks beginning of alcanada. name of tower dates times when bay of alcúdia known port major. entrance crowned coat of arms of king philip iii of spain, carved in 1602 sculptor antoni verger.

stretching torre major penya roja watchtower, 9 kilometers of steep, barren coastline had watched , defended hundreds of years–particularly beginning in 16th century, when balearics attacked berbers , pirates plundered towns , houses , captured inhabitants ransom. captives spend years on end in north african lands, until exchanged, sold, or ransom paid, collected alms. there chronicles of attack on cap del pinar in 1551, when 25 mallorcans taken hostage , ransom of 2 thousand escudos advanced university of alcúdia.