The Torre Monreal is a tower, traditionally considered of Arab origin, located on a hill to the southwest of the city of Tudela.
It probably dates from when Amrùs walled Tudela in the year 802. However, there is no documents before the thirteenth century. In 1343 the ramparts and battlements of the tower were repaired, as they were demolished in the severe storms and floods that occurred in previous years. After the Castilian conquest of the Kingdom of Navarre at the beginning of the 16th century and the dismantling of the walls and defenses of Tudela (especially from 1521), the Torre Monreal lost its defensive character, being enabled for other purposes.
The Torre Monreal has been subsequently rebuilt on various occasions. It served as a fortress for the French after the invasion of Spain and Navarre, and was demolished by Espoz and Mina in 1813 , at the end of the War of Independence. It was rebuilt in 1883 , for the defense of the city during the Carlist Wars. The current octagonal brick construction is, therefore, from the Carlist period.
References:The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.
In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians.