Torre de San Francisco

What it is

It is all that remains of the convent of San Francisco, founded in the last third of the 15th century by Gómez Suárez de Figueroa, second Count of Feria, and his mother, María Manuel. In 1575 it was thoroughly remodelled, because many friars came to it seeking spiritual retreat.

Despite its importance, it was built with humble materials: slate, brick and rubble masonry, with ashlar only on the lower section and on the corners of the two upper sections. The tower is topped with a simple dome and five small domes or lanterns, which are what make it recognisable from afar. You can still see the beginnings of the walls that joined it to the convent and, above the entrance door, a Franciscan coat of arms.

The rest of the complex was gradually lost, and its ruin accelerated after the sacking of 1808, in the War of Independence. The tower, however, has come down to us in acceptable condition: its structure has been consolidated, it is lit at night and a small park has been created around it, with a panel telling its story.

Getting there and how long to allow

It is on Calle Torre de San Francisco, north-east of the old town and outside the old wall. From the Plaza Grande it is a little under a kilometre, about fifteen minutes on foot. You see it from outside, at any hour and without a ticket: a quarter of an hour is enough to walk round it, read the panel and take the photo. It has no opening hours of its own and no visits inside; for any questions, the tourist office on the Plaza de España answers on 924 551 036.

The best time is at dusk, when the lighting comes on. With children, the park gives a breather between monuments, and with a dog it is a comfortable walk.

What to see nearby

The tower is one of the last stops on the Zafra Única route, in the stretch outside the walls, next to the old infirmary of the convent of San Benito, from the 17th and 18th centuries, and the San Benito drinking trough. On the way back to the centre, the town council suggests calling at the chapel of the Cristo del Pozo and at the two gates of the wall that are still standing: the Puerta de Jerez, from the 15th century, and the Puerta de Badajoz, later turned into the Arco del Cubo, with a relief of Santiago Matamoros (Saint James the Moor-slayer). From there you are a step from the Plaza Grande and the Plaza Chica.