Alcaudete castle

Municipality: Alcaudete

Regions: Sierra Sur de Jaén

Latitude: 37.590412°

Longitude: -4.088572°

Altitude: 681.083 m

Video - Alcaudete castle

Alcaudete It is located in the western part of the Sierra Sur region. In itsorigin, was strategically located on the old road that connected the Guadalquivir and Granada.

The castle of Alcaudete, located on top of a witness hill, exercises a visual control of the territory, thus fulfilling the military function that it fulfilled throughout the Middle Ages.

History of Alcaudete Castle

Muslim era

Known as Al-Qabdaq Ocity of springs. They arename se due to the impression made on the Arabs by the abundance of water and springs in the area.

Around the year 880, was attacked by the muladí rebel Umar ibn Hafsun,he which tried to dominate the region of Jaén. Later, in the year 894, the town was still under muladí rule when it was destroyed by an expedition sent by "Abd Allah.

During its occupation by the Arabs, it occasionally belonged to the Cora de Ilbira from Granada. Duringhe Almohad period, the Arabs built an imposing fortress in the area, which came to be considered inaccessible.

Regain

In 1246, was taken byFerdinand IIIand delivered to theOrder of Calatrava, who remodels the Almohad fortress turning it into an antechamber for the new castle that the Order is building. This is the one that currently crowns the hill and that has preserved its structures in very good condition.

In 1299, the city is lost and finally taken by Fernando IV, who possibly died in his siege,in 1312. Since then it has not passed into Muslim hands again. Alfonso XI grants him two privileges,one in 1328 and another in 1333 to promote its repopulation.

At the end of the fourteenth centuryDuring the Trastámara dynasty, the Villa passed into private hands. This became a manor owned by one of the branches of theFernandez de Cordoba, specifically that of Montemayor. From then on, Alcaudete was used as an outpost against Granada.

In 1408, the fortress was attacked by a large Nasrid army. After a hard battle, the castle troops, led by Don Martín Afonso de Córdoba,They resisted and prevailed.

16th Centuries - Present

A beginning 16th century, the sixth lord of the Villa was named count. This was a great change, giving way to the period of greatest splendor, favored by the economic prosperity derived from the cultivation of cereals and livestock. To all this, it was added that it was an obligatory step on the road between the kingdom of Granada and Castile.

In 1755, an earthquake caused extensive damage to the castle-palace, which belonged to the Marquise of Villena and Countess of Oropesa.

Currently, the castle can be visited. Inside this, the Interpretation Center of the life of the Military Order of Calatrava is located. The museum houses information about the history of the museum and its construction.

Calatravo castleof alcaudete

Architecture

The castle of Alcaudete haspolyhedral shape, adapting well to the escarpments of the hill. Thestructure of the castle that is preserved is the one that the knights of the Order of Calatrava built on the old Almohad fortress.

Tower of tribute

The most outstanding construction of the fortress is the tower of tribute. This is located in the central area of the castle and is built on the highest part of the land. Built on a rectangular base, it is divided into three floors and a terrace.

The low level It was used as a warehouse. Through aconduit Made of ceramic, it collected and stored the rainwater that filtered through the vault.

The second stay, It had a mobile wooden structure, through which it was accessed. Later, access was made through a closed staircase, which would later be demolished and a ramp would be installed in its place.

The third floor, was the residence of the commander. It was accessed through a brick staircase that would later be replaced by a spiral one.Through a brick staircase led to the terrace.

Defending

For its defense, the castle hadsix towers,three square and threesemicircular. In the lower part of the towers, the structure wassolid, whilewhat the terrace was located in the upper part, with loophole windows for light and for defense

A hallway withlocalized pit shape between the inner and outer wallsguaranteed surveillance and security inside.

At the moment, the castle preserves the parapets, which allow you to tour the castle grounds and access the interior of the towers.

Appetizer

The medieval fortress consisted oftwo doors. The doorprincipal, Located on the north side, it had two square towers with rounded corners to prevent damage from enemy artillery fire. In the far southeast, itlocate the secondary entrance, smaller, located next to the Clock Tower that protected it.

Schedules

Summer

June 1 to September 30: Wednesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Winter

October 1 to May 31: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, January 1, Good Friday, August 15, and December 24, 25, and 31.

Prices

Free visit withaudio guide: 6€

Reduced rate: €4 (retired persons, disabled people, groups of 30 people, young people from 8 to 16 years old, youth card)

Free for alcaudetenses and children under 8 years of age.

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