These are the remains of an ancient defensive structure of late medieval origin, located in the surroundings of the church complex of Santa Mariña de Castrelo. The building formed part of a territorial control and protection system during a historical period marked by the need for surveillance and defence in the region of Terra de Montes. The tower played an important role as the residence of the merino judges, officials responsible for administering justice and exercising jurisdictional control in the area.
The tower was partially destroyed in 1468 during the Irmandiño revolts, one of the most significant social upheavals of late medieval Galicia, which led to the assault and demolition of numerous feudal fortresses. Despite this destruction, several clearly identifiable elements of the original structure are still preserved. Among the visible remains are a rectangular lower body with a niche, an intermediate platform that may have been used for visual and acoustic signals, and an upper section crowned with a slate cornice that once supported a pinnacle which has now disappeared.
In addition to its defensive role, the tower also fulfilled an important community and symbolic function, serving to summon villagers to religious services and to warn the population in times of danger. According to tradition, this system of warning and control remained in use until the mid-18th century, demonstrating the long-lasting usefulness of the structure within the social and territorial framework of the region.
