Watchtowers

thumb|A watchtower on the Great Wall of China thumbnail|Saint Thomas Tower in [[Marsaskala, Malta]] A watchtower or guardtower (also spelled watch tower, guard tower) is a type of military/paramilitary or policiary tower used for guarding an area. Sometimes fortified, and armed with heavy weaponry, especially historically, the structures are built in areas of established control. These include military bases, cities occupied by military forces, prisons and more. A common equipment is searchlights.

National Historic Landmark in Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands

archaeological site

former beacon, watchtower and lighthouse in Germany

Italian watchtower

castle

building used by farmers in ancient Western Asia