Bujaco Tower

Bujaco Tower, or Torre de Bujaco, is a 12th century Moorish tower in the centre of the Spanish city of Cáceres.

Bujaco Tower history

The Ummayyad Caliphate conquered the Christian Visigothic kingdom of Hispania in the 8th century BC, including Cáceres. The following centuries saw conflict over Al-Andalus (Spain) between the Muslim rulers and Christians from the north. While Cáceres was under Christian rule thanks to the conquest in 1170 by Ferdinand II of Leon, the Order of the Knights of Santiago was established in the city.

Until they yielded to the Muslim’s six month long siege in March 1173, the tower had served as a defensive bastion for the Knights of Santiago. It was at this time of reconquest that the Arabs rebuilt much of the city, including a wall, palaces and defensive towers including the Bujaco Tower. The namesake of Bujaco Tower was Caliph Abú-Ya’qub, who led his troops to victory in conquering Cáceres.

Cáceres was reconquered by the Christians led by the Kingdom of Castile in 1229. The successful cohabitation of Christians, Muslims and Jews in the city was later disturbed when the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella and Ferdinand of Aragon in 1492, expelled the Jewish population from the city’s important Jewish quarter, home to almost 140 families in the 15th century.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, as Spain and Cáceres prospered from the Reconquista and colonial venture in the Americas, the tower became known as ‘the Clock Tower’.

Bujaco Tower today

The 10m tall tower remains today, still dominating the town of Cáceres from the main square, Plaza Mayor. Open to the public, visitors pay only three euros to climb the tower and share the same vies as the Arabic watchmen would have originally intended. it is also a great starting point for continuing a trip into Cáceres old town, orienting yourself from the Bujaco Tower before walking along a small section of city wall to a second smaller tower.

The Bujaco Tower also houses the Interpretation Centre of Three Cultures, a symbol celebrating Spain’s diverse historic cultures.

Getting to Bujaco Tower

In Cáceres you can get around easily on foot, but if using public transport the central bus station on Tunez 1 street.

Alternately, taking a taxi in Caceres is not too expensive: you will find taxis in the main streets or can call one.