Burgalimar castle

Municipality: Baños de la Encina

Regions: Campiña Norte de Jaén

Latitude: 38.170414°

Longitude: -3.775312°

Altitude: 421.592 m

Video - Burgalimar castle

Bury al-Hammam or Burgalimar castle It is an impressive castle that is located in the town of Baths of the Oak, located in Sierra Morena. Its name, from Arabic, means Castillo de los Baños.

The castle is located at the top of Cerro del Cueto, on the old road to Puerto del Muradal, used before Despeñaperros as a pass between Castilla-La Mancha and Andalusia during the 18th century.

From there, you can see ten kilometers away and it is an example of the beauty of the town and its cultural heritage.

History of the castle of Baños de la Encina

Muslim era

ANDthe Caliph of CordobaAl-Hakam II, son and successor of Abderramán III, ordered the construction of the castle back in the 10th century. This information has survived to this day thanks to a founding tombstone, on which can be read:

“The servant of God Alhacam Almostánsir Bilá Emir Almuminín, whose life God preserve, ordered the construction of this fortress.

His client and his military governor Maysur Benalhacam mediated.

It"s over, through the power of God and your help.

And this was in the month of Ramadan in the year 357.”

It should be noted that the year 357 is from the Muslim calendar, that is, according to the Christian calendar the construction would date back to theyear 968 AD.

Burgalimar was designed as an impenetrable fortress with advanced military architecture for the time. It was surrounded by walls and watchtowers to protect the castle from possible attacks.

During the period of Muslim rule, the castle played a crucial role in the defense of the area and witnessed numerous conflicts and battles.

Regain

in 1147, the castle was taken by Alfonso VII, although, after his death, it returned to the hands of the Muslims. Again,in 1189, the fortress of Baños de la Encina would be conquered, although for a short time, by the troops of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Alfonso IX of León.

In ityear 1212, after theBattle of Las Navas de Tolosa, is occupied again by the kings Alfonso VIII, Pedro I of Aragon and Sancho el Fuerte de Navarra, however the definitive conquest was carried out byFerdinand III in 1225, incorporating the castle to the city of Baeza.

15th - 17th centuries

In thessecond half of the fifteenth century, the castle played apaper key during the clashes between supporters of Enrique IV and those of the Marqués de Villena andDon Pedro Girón, Master of the Order of Calatrava, who tried to marry Doña Isabel la Católica, who would later be Queen of Castile.

During the reign of Henry IV, the castle will witness the continuous clashes between the king"s supporters and the masters of theOrder of Calatrava and of theorder of santiago, sympathizers of Prince Alfonso.

in 1458Along with Linares, Baños de la Encina became part of the lordship of Constable Iranzo, although not for long.

Napoleonic Spain

During the independence war, the castle was occupied by French troops and from that moment until1828, the courtyard of the castle would be used asparish cemetery.

Twentieth century

in 1931, fI have declaredNational Historic-Artistic Monumentand is part ofGeneral Catalog of the Andalusia Historical Heritage. From1969, waves in its homage tower the blue flag crowned with stars from the Council of Europe, a privilege granted on the occasion of the celebration of the millennium of the construction of the castle. This castle, next to Florence in Naples, are the only ones in Europe that fly this flag.

The castle of Burgalimar

Architecture

The castle is located on top of a hill, which provides it with a strategic defensive position.ANDis built withtapial rOjiWithO, which is a typical material Arab consisting of a mixture of clay, sand, lime and small stones. This material offers a much faster and cheaper construction process.

The castle of Baños de la Encinaaccount withtwo entrances. On the northwestern side of the castle is the secondary access, consisting of a low shutter,from which a ladder had to be loweredfor the entry and exit of people.

The wallswere covered witha layer of sand and lime on which were engravedpaintings that imitated strong blocks of stone, in order to hide their poor material and intimidate the enemy.

Tower of tribute

LThe main Christian modification was introducedin it century XV sover one of the original towers, giving rise to the Tower of Homage, also known as Almena Gorda.

Under the Gothic style, this tower is built with irregular masonry in a semi-cylindrical shape. The outer corners are rounded to prevent artillery damage. The tower faces the population to give a sense of control and intimidation.

Towers

The wall hasfourteen turrets very protruding, rectangular almost square. They are structured in three stories high: the first, at the level of the parade ground and the highest at the parapet, with another one in between.

Each level has an independent door, on the other hand, from the upper floor you could access the terrace by going up an internal staircase. The floor of each floor was made of wood supported by beams. Arrow slits open on each floor, important in the defense of the castle

The interior of the towers is hollow, although it is thought that originally they were solid and it was not until the arrivalof the Christians who opened holes inside.

Parade

to the greatparade It is accessed through a door located to the east between two large towers that defend it. This door is crowned by a horseshoe arch and a large machicolation is located at the top.

Interior patio

In its inner courtyard there is a cistern divided intotwo ships, which are separated by pillars. In addition, we can appreciate a modification of the Christian era: thecreation of an alcazarejo through the construction of an inner wall crowned by a large circular tower, of which only the base remains today.

Bury al-Hammam castle curiosities

The birth of Ferdinand III the Saint

There is a rumor thatthere for himyear 1189, During the Queen"s stay in the castle of Baños de la Encina, she gave birth to her firstborn, Fernando, later to be known as Fernando III el Santo.

the castle of the seven kings

Burgalimar castle is also called"the fortress of the seven kings". This is because over the years they went through them, Alfonso VII, Alfonso VIII, Alfonso IX, Pedro II, Sancho VII, Fernando III and Fernando el Católico.

Hours of the castle of Baños de la Encina

Mornings from Monday to Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Mornings Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Consult afternoon schedules from May to September at 626 81 84 46

Prices from the castle of Baños de la Encina or Burgalimar

General rate without guided tour: €4 (from 15 years old)

Reduced rate 1: €3 (Children from 7 to 12 years old, youth card and groups of more than 20 people)

Reduced rate 2: €3.50 (People over 65 years of age, people with disabilities and large families)

Free rate: People registered in Baños de la Encina (they must prove this situation with their DNI) and children up to 6 years old

The entrance to the monument does not include the guided tour.

More information about schedules, price of guided tours and other monuments at: https://www.laencinaturismo.com/

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