The Chopped Tower

The Chopped tower, located in Port of Sóller, is a coastal defence tower built in the 17th century to protect the coast of Sóller from pirate attacks. It is the largest defensive tower in Mallorca and is well preserved, offering panoramic views of the port and the coast.

Toponymy

The name “Chopped tower” is quite descriptive, as “picada” refers to the appearance of the rock on which it stands, which is elongated and pointed, known as Es Penyal Bernat, a type of rock formation that juts out of the ground in Mallorca.

Structure and Architecture of the Chopped Tower

The Chopped tower, located in the town of Port de Sóller, is a circular defensive structure built in 1614 in response to the pirate attacks that ravaged the Balearic coast. Its main function was surveillance and defence, forming part of a system of signal towers to warn of the presence of enemy shiport ofps.

Location: It stands on a hill above Port of Sóller, offering impressive views of the coast and the port.

Construction: The tower is circular in plan, with a diameter of about 11.5 metres and a height of approximately 11 metres. The tower has two floors with vaulted ceilings and an upper terrace where a cannon was located.

Construction of the Chopped tower began in 1614, after a pirate attack in 1561 ravaged the valley of Sóller. It was completed in 1622, and its construction date is engraved on the entrance.

Materials: The Tower was built mainly with stone and wood for its exterior and other internal distributions. Its structure is solid and robust, designed to withstand attack. The walls, which are about three metres thick due to the need to support the vaults, are made of stone. In addition, ceramic tiles were used for the original roof and remains of wood, possibly from local species such as pine and olive, were used for ceilings and other construction elements. Remains of a freshwater cistern and stables were also found in the outer courtyard, indicating the use of stone and other materials for these auxiliary structures.

State of conservation: The tower has been restored and is in a good state of conservation.

Functions: Initially, it was used to watch the coast and warn of the arrival of enemy ships by means of smoke and fire signals, forming part of a communication system between towers. In addition to its defensive function, the tower served as a lookout point to control maritime traffic and, during the Spanish Civil War, to detect aerial approaches. It was also used to monitor smuggling and during the Spanish Civil War to detect aircraft.

Present day: The tower is an important point of historical and tourist interest, and can be accessed via a footpath from the port. It is sometimes possible to visit the interior and go up to the terrace, but it can also be visited from the outside.

Historical and architectural importance

Its construction reflects the strategic importance of the Port of Sóller as a point of entry and exit for goods and people, and the need to protect it from external threats. The tower, together with other constructions such as the Port of Sóller Castle and fragments of the walls of Sóller, forms part of the town’s historical and architectural legacy.

In short, the Chopped tower is a key defensive structure in the history of Sóller, which combines functionality with solid and robust architecture, and which today is an important testimony to the fight against piracy and the protection of the Mallorcan coast.

How to get to the Chopped tower? Visits

The Chopped tower can be reached by a walk from Port de Sóller, following a path that starts at the port. There are also hiking trails that connect Sóller with the Port and the tower. The tower may be closed at times, so it is advisable to check opening times and availability before visiting.

The chopped tower, in Port of Sóller

The Chopped tower, located in Port of Sóller, is a defence tower built in the 17th century to protect the coast from pirate attacks. Its main function was surveillance and signalling, using fire and smoke to alert troops. The tower, which was part of a larger defence system, is in a good state of preservation and is accessible via an excursion. In short, the Chopped tower has evolved from a coastal defence tower to a point of historical interest and a tourist attraction, maintaining its importance within the culture of Mallorca and its fight against piracy.

By the way, are you coming to Mallorca on a tourism trip? If you find it helpful, you can also consult our travel guide to Mallorca and more tourist information about the island.