THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER

THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER

The Diamond Point Tower is a pentagonal defensive structure at La Suda Castle, adapted to the development of artillery to strengthen the fortress's defences.

La Suda Castle, also known as Sant Joan Castle, is surrounded by a defensive wall that currently retains twelve towers, one of which is the Diamond Point Tower. This pentagonal tower faces the river and appears with the same structure in the atlas created by the Flemish artist Wingaerde in 1563, depicting the most important cities of the kingdom. Today, the tower can be accessed from the upper level.

It was built in the 15th century and probably modified between the 16th and 17th centuries, a period when many fortifications were improved both because of the passage of time and advances in military warfare. The tower was therefore adapted to developments in artillery through its lower, five-sided design.

The tower is built from dressed stone blocks and has undergone no further alterations since the 17th century. This can be clearly observed at its base, where the masonry features rusticated stonework. Ashlar blocks are rectangular stone blocks carefully cut for construction. Rustication is a technique in which the visible face of each stone is left projecting while the joints are recessed, creating the impression of larger, more prominent blocks.

The tower takes its name, Diamond Point, from its polygonal shape and obtuse edges, which resemble the facets of a cut diamond. It should not be confused with the circular Túbal Tower, located at the southern end of La Suda Castle, a common mistake. From the former Passeig de Ronda, now known as Passeig de les Cultures, visitors can admire the lower section of the tower and follow a route around the base of the castle, just as soldiers did centuries ago.

THE ROMAN CITY
THE ROMAN CITY
Dertosa developed from the Iberian settlement of Hibera and became an important trading centre in the Ebro valley
sant ruf
sant ruf
El cementirti del castell
El cementirti del castell
THE DEFENCE OF THE CITY: THE TRAST
THE DEFENCE OF THE CITY: THE TRAST
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THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS
THE DEMOLITION OF THE CITY WALLS
In the late 19th century, Tortosa began demolishing its medieval city walls to allow the city to expand.
FROM CASTLE TO FORTRESS
FROM CASTLE TO FORTRESS
The development of artillery transformed medieval castles into modern fortresses, with structures specifically designed for military defence.
HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS
HABSBURG AND BOURBON SUPPORTERS
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Tortosa passed from Habsburg to Bourbon control, bringing significant political and social consequences.
THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER
THE DIAMOND POINT TOWER
The Diamond Point Tower is a pentagonal defensive structure at La Suda Castle, adapted to the development of artillery to strengthen the fortress's defences.
CRISTÒFOL DESPUIG
CRISTÒFOL DESPUIG
Cristòfol Despuig (1510–1574) was a politician and writer from Tortosa, known for producing one of the finest examples of Catalan Renaissance prose.
TORTOSA'S TRADITIONAL CULTURE
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TENASSES FORT
TENASSES FORT
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TORTOSA, A CENTRE OF ART IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN PERIODS
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THE OPEN CAPONIER
THE OPEN CAPONIER
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HORNWORK
HORNWORK
The hornwork at Tenasses is a 17th-century defensive structure designed to protect the northern approaches to Tortosa.