Ofra Watchtower

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Memory · Subcategory: Historic sites · Year: 1590

The need to be on alert against a possible external threat was the reason for establishing a series of lookouts or watchtowers at strategic points, generally located at heights, across the island's geography. The mission of these observation and surveillance posts was, once a risk factor (enemy fleets, pirates...) was spotted, to immediately alert the main fortress of San Cristóbal de Santa Cruz by means of an optical signalling system. This castle functioned for centuries as the true headquarters of the island.  

One of these important guard and surveillance posts that constantly watched the sea was located atop the mountain of Ofra, today a boundary point between the municipalities of Santa Cruz and La Laguna, at almost 400 metres above sea level, from where a wide sector of the horizon could be seen.

The installation of the Ofra watchtower was carried out in 1590 at the initiative of the Cabildo (Island Council) due to the risk the island faced at that time of an external attack by English or Dutch fleets, the main opponents of the Hispanic monarchy then led by King Philip II.

Possibly the watchman's post was a modest masonry construction that had nearby an area designated for lighting warning bonfires. We suspect there was also a mast for hoisting the corresponding flags which, under an established code, maintained communication with the main post in Santa Cruz. 

We have information that this Ofra watchtower operated sporadically until the late 17th century, when the Cabildo suppressed it in 1691; although it was possibly used in later periods of wartime or intense pirate activity along the Archipelago's coasts.

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