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All Spain Pinto Torreón de Pinto (Tower of Pinto)
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Torreón de Pinto (Tower of Pinto)

A mid-14th-century tower that served as a prison for Spanish nobles.

Pinto, Spain

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Adrián Bastante Roncero
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Ana de Mendoza y de la Cerda, Princess of Éboli, was imprisoned for six months in the tower.   Bastanyway / Atlas Obscura User
One of the chambers of the tower, restored and decorated with period details.   Bastanyway / Atlas Obscura User
View from street.   Bastanyway / Atlas Obscura User
Window and Pinto’s Coat of Arms   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Front View   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
Torreón de Pinto   Luis Morato / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Once part of a larger medieval fortification, the Torreón de Pinto is a 14th-century tower with a dark past.

Far from being a mere fortification, it served as a prison for members of the Spanish nobility — most notably the enigmatic Princess of Éboli and the royal secretary Antonio Pérez, both entangled in the deadly intrigues of Philip II’s court.

Beneath the tower, a gloomy cellar reportedly doubled as a torture chamber.

Today, the tower stands in the heart of Pinto, Madrid, and each spring it becomes the centerpiece of the town’s Renaissance Festival, where a lively parade reenacts the princess’s dramatic imprisonment.

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Access to the interior of the tower is limited, as it remains private property. Though guided tours are occasionally offered, they are infrequent and restricted to small groups. Currently, visits are usually scheduled during specific days announced via the Pinto town hall’s social media. Even catching a glimpse of the full exterior can be tricky — the tower is partially obscured from the street.

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July 9, 2025

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  • https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre%C3%B3n_de_Pinto
Torreón de Pinto (Tower of Pinto)
8 C. del Cristo
Pinto, 28320
Spain
40.242648, -3.702407
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