Torre del Conde
Rising incongruously from a small park just two blocks from the seafront, the Torre del Conde is a 15th-century fortified tower that is one of the oldest and best-preserved medieval military structures in the entire Canary Islands — yet most ferry-day visitors walk straight past it. It also played a pivotal role in one of the most dramatic episodes in Canarian history.
The Tower and Its Story
Built around 1450 by Hernán Peraza the Elder, the square, crenellated tower was the seat of the feudal lords of La Gomera. In 1488 it became a refuge for Beatriz de Bobadilla, the widow of Hernán Peraza the Younger, after the island's Guanche population rose up and killed her husband following years of brutal oppression — she held out inside the tower until Spanish reinforcements arrived.
Columbus is documented to have visited Beatriz de Bobadilla here during his stopovers on La Gomera, adding another layer of Atlantic history to an already remarkable building.
Visiting Today
The tower sits in the Parque de la Torre, a pleasant garden of palms and bougainvillea where locals come to sit in the shade. The exterior is beautifully maintained and the surrounding park makes it a lovely spot for a quiet half-hour away from the harbour bustle.
The interior can be visited when it is open for temporary exhibitions; even if it is closed, the exterior and its context — explained on good bilingual information panels — make the short detour entirely worthwhile.
More of San Sebastián de La Gomera
Discover where to stay, what to do and the best deals for your trip.
Explore San Sebastián de La Gomera →
