The Castillo de El Toston is located in the north of Fuerteventura, in the town of El Cotillo, and like most buildings in the Canary Islands, the construction of the Castillo del Toston began after the Castilian arrival.
Most of the defensive architecture of the Canary Archipelago dates from the 15th century, the time of the Spanish Conquest, and functioned as coastal protection against attacks by pirates and barbarians from North Africa, France and Great Britain. Its construction, however, dates back to 1700 (18th century), since the old defensive castle called Rico Roque, built by the conqueror Jean de Bethencourt, existed on the same site. This fortification was created to defend the port of El Cotillo, which at that time had gained great importance as a natural port in the trade of orchilla, cereals and livestock. It was commissioned by the Captain General of the Canary Islands to the engineer D. Claudio de L’Isle and received the name of Torre de Nuestra Señora del Pilar y San Miguel.
It is built in stone, extracted from a cave in the area, has a circular base and could accommodate 12 men. In its structure a total of 3 cannons could be installed, which were located in the upper part of the castle, while in the lower part the gunpowder deposit necessary to activate the cannons was kept. At present, the castle serves as a center for various exhibitions.
At its feet is Piedra Playa, and a few kilometers to the south is the Faro del Tostón lighthouse, which currently houses a Fishing Museum.
El Cotillo, La Oliva, Fuerteventura
Photo Taken: April 27, 2024
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