Video footage shows a part of a fortress over 500 years old collapsing after one of the four stone towers collapsed. Large rocks fell into the courtyard, creating a thick cloud of dust covering the area. A tourist was seen hugging a young child, rushing away from the scene when the tower collapsed.
After the dust subsided, a huge pile of rubble piled up at the foot of the castle, bricks and stones scattered throughout the surrounding streets. Many cars parked nearby were damaged by falling debris. No casualties were recorded.
Immediately after the incident, functional forces and local authorities were present to blockade the scene, clean up and assess the extent of damage. All sightseeing and tourism activities in this area have been temporarily suspended until further notice.
Initial assessment shows that the recent prolonged heavy rains may have further damaged weak parts of the structure that existed before the project.
Escalona Castle was built in the 15th century. The building has been recognized as a cultural heritage since 1922. The new castle reopened to welcome visitors from April 2025 after centuries of private ownership, quickly becoming a tourist attraction.
This incident continues to raise concerns about safety at historical sites, especially in the context that many ancient tourist destinations are being affected by extreme weather and degraded over time.
