Escalona Castle Tower Collapses Without Injuries: A Day of Disappointment for Tourists

A tower of the Escalona castle in the province of Toledo collapsed on Saturday morning, but fortunately, no one was injured. The incident, confirmed by the mayor of Escalona, Álvaro Gutiérrez, occurred at around 10:30 AM, just before several scheduled tours were set to begin, which would have brought hundreds of visitors to the site. As the tower crumbled, tourists captured the moment on video, showing materials tumbling down and generating a thick cloud of dust. Witnesses warned others nearby, saying, "Everything is going to fall," and advised caution with parked cars, prompting alerts to local police about the situation. Mayor Gutiérrez expressed deep sadness over the event, stating that not only the City Council but the entire community is affected by the loss of the tower. The area has since been cordoned off, and all scheduled visits for that Saturday, along with future tours, have been suspended. Although there were no injuries, the mayor noted that a vehicle parked in the castle's parking area was damaged when debris fell on it. The incident has raised concerns about the structural integrity of the remaining parts of the castle. To assess the damage, architects and personnel from the General Directorate of Heritage of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha are expected to arrive on Sunday to evaluate the collapsed tower and audit the rest of the castle's walls to ensure there are no further risks. Gutiérrez lamented the timing of the collapse, especially as the town was advancing preparations for restoration works, including on the tower that fell. He expressed regret that there wasn't sufficient time to address the issues before the collapse occurred. The Escalona castle reopened to the public on April 26, 2025, after the town hall acquired the fortress in October 2024. This unfortunate incident marks a setback for both the restoration efforts and the tourism potential in the area. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2