Almeria is a land of many ancient forts and watchtowers.The truce of 1439 between the Muslim and Christian armies recognized as the border, all points between Velez and Overa. This included Cantoria, Purchena, Huercal-Overa, Seron, Albox, Arboleas and Zurgena as border villages where existing watchtowers and fortifications could be utilised and new ones built.
All the middle and lower valley of Almanzora surrendered to King Ferdinand in June 1488.
The coastal watchtowers were constructed during the sixteenth century, along the Mediterranean coast of Spain, mainly in the Region of Murcia, and the provinces of Alicante, Malaga and Almeria to defend the territory against attacks the Barbary pirates.
King Carlos I devised the defensive system based on the construction of watchtowers along the Mediterranean coast, however, the bulk of the watchtowers were built under the reign of his son Philip II.
The XII Century Watchtower of Arboleas unlike many, which are circular, is octagonal, which suggests that it could have been rebuilt in the Muslim period. It is possible that this was a minaret of a mosque that was originally on this site.