Torre Tavira, Cádiz

The Tavira Tower is the highest watchtower in the old city of Cadiz, 45 meters above sea level, and the second highest point, only surpassed by the towers of The Cathedral, at 56 m high. It is located in the House-Palace of the Marquises of Recaño, on the corner of the streets Marqués del Real Tesoro and Sacramento, and was built in the eighteenth century in baroque style. Designated the official watchtower of the port of Cadiz in 1778 for being the highest tower, it is named after its first watchman, frigate lieutenant Antonio Tavira.

It currently houses the Camera Obscura, one of the most symbolic tourist attractions of the city of Cadiz, as well as two exhibition halls and a viewpoint, from which you can admire the entire historic center of the city.

The Camera Obscura was inaugurated in 1994 and consists of an optical system that reflects on a circular white screen the scenes taking place outside in real time, during 15-minute sessions. The exhibition rooms show through information panels the development of the city of Cadiz and its history in general and the Tower in particular during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. You can also admire the original spyglass and the logbook of the watchman, as well as photographs of the nineteenth century and current photographs that show the changes in the city during the last century.