Althea Draper Jan 15, 2022:

Going by what I can see about San Martín de Muñatones, it looks like 'vara de la torre' is the original part of the tower/keep, so maybe original tower or donjon might do. Some light (!?!) reading in the links below point in that direction.

https://docplayer.es/56067003-Universidad-politecnica-de-mad...
https://www.bizkaia.eus/fitxategiak/04/ondarea/Kobie/PDF/4/K...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/90333507@N03/10970570835/

Althea Draper Jan 15, 2022:

It's almost like it's just another name for the keep.

Althea Draper Jan 15, 2022:

Ah, no - I was way off. This thesis has many references to 'vara'. eg
"La vara de la torre, que se distribuiría de la siguiente manera: Planta baja con acceso independiente y ocasionalmente comunicada con la planta primera por escala con trampilla, donde se almacenaban víveres, caballerizas etc. Planta primera con acceso mediante patín, que tendría un gran desarrollo en altura, donde se realizarían múltiples funciones como dormitorio, cocina, estancia etc. Terraza superior, con una función claramente militar, desde donde se vigilaría y defendería el edificio. Serian edificios tremendamente herméticos y solo se abrirían estrechas saeteras y aspilleras con uso militar, así como alguna pequeña ventana en la parte superior de la vara."
https://docplayer.es/56067003-Universidad-politecnica-de-mad...

I'm trying to make some sense of this as the page numbers don't seem to agree with those on the thesis!

Althea Draper Jan 15, 2022:

In some areas, representations of measuring rods were carved on the walls, arches, pillars and lintels. In some cases it was thought to be for merchants at the local market, in some cases it was symbolic, and in others it was thought to be a reference for the builders. You don't mention the castle in question, but could this be one of the features of the castle in your diagram?

Here are some examples of rods carved on buildings
https://www.rutasconhistoria.es/loc/castillo-de-monterrei-o-...
https://www.diariovasco.com/alto-deba/arrasate/varas-tejas-l...
https://mateturismo.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/las-varas-tradi...