Turisme d’Elx :: Monuments

The Torre del Consell tower is the oldest municipal building in the southern part of the Comunidad Valenciana region. Construction began on the tower in1441 under the direction of master builder Beiam and was finished approximately three years later. This almost square tower built in two parts formed part of the city walls and as such its lower portion connected the Plaça de Baix, the area outside the city walls and the market, inside the walled city.

The Guildhall (Lonja) was built adjacent to the tower on the western side. This building, executed in rubblework resting on pointed masonry arches, was the centre of medieval mercantile activity.

In 1548 Sebastià Alcaràs converted the Tower-Guildhall complex into a Renaissance palace, extending the Sala del Consell over the Guildhall and raising the height of the Tower which was crowned by an open gallery.

The final and definitive addition to the complex took place in 1645 when the eastern wing was built. The Tower therefore became the centre of the building and the Guildhall was also modified, the pointed arches were converted into round arches and a mezzanine floor was created by lowering the height of the ground-floor ceilings. This floor is now occupied by the Mayor’s offices.