On your left is Angels Tower, a rugged semicircular stone structure with a heavy barred window, standing stubbornly among peeling plaster walls. We were just in the open space of Carmen Square a few minutes ago, but here things get delightfully cramped.
This is the Torre de l'Àngel, one of the extremely rare surviving pieces of Valencia's ancient Islamic defensive wall. Built centuries ago, it is made of solid masonry... meaning it was constructed by thickly binding heavy stone and brick with mortar so it could withstand a siege. Over the years, the city simply grew right around it. Today, it is literally landlocked by private, everyday residential courtyards. Imagine having a massive, battle hardened military tower acting as your backyard property line. It definitely beats putting up wooden privacy fences.
Named for the nearby Angel Street, this stubborn relic is now officially protected as a Cultural Heritage site. It is a silent witness just watching the centuries roll by. Appreciate this hidden piece of history before we wander over to the Portal of the Valldigna.
