La Guardia de Jaén castle

Municipality: La Guardia de Jaén

Regions: Sierra Mágina

Latitude: 37.743539°

Longitude: -3.696251°

Altitude: 630.961 m

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La Guardia de Jaén is a municipality located about 10 kilometers southeast of the city of Jaén. The La Guardia stream runs through this area, from which it takes its name.The castle of La Guardia stands on one end of the hill of San Marcos.

History of the Castle of La Guardia

Origin

Traditionally, sand has identified this municipality with the Roman city ofMentesa Bastia. This city, according to some preserved inscriptions, became an obligatory stopping point among travelers in the area.

Muslim era

Called by Arab authors asMantisa, was one of the oldest cities of the Yayyan Cora, even becoming its capital, and renamed by the Arabs as "Wâdi "Abd Allâh", a word that gives rise to the term guard.

To himyear 741, the descendants of the governor of the Cora de Yayyan, settled in this area, giving rise to an aristocratic minority that held power in the area.

At the end of the 9th century, during the crisis in the emirate caused by the muladí rebellion, construction of the castle began. Twenty-five years later, Ishaq returned to the Córdoba allegiance.

During the political restructuring carried out in the emirate of Abderramán III, thecapital de la Cora passed to Yayyan (Jaén), assuming this the loss of importance of La Guardia.

Regain

in 1244, Ferdinand III the Saint conquered The guard. After the Pact of Jaén, in 1246, it became a strategic castle of the first order.

The castle of La Guardia witnessed important war events such as the battle in which Bishop Don Gonzalo was imprisoned or the Arab incursion stopped by the Constable of Jaén.

ANDhe Castle of La Guardia begins to suffer from the fifteenth century various modifications that have asaim turn it into a palatial residence.

Napoleonic Spain

The castle, still habitable, was occupied by theNapoleonic troops in the year 1812. Soon after, thefire in the fortress, caused by the French troops in their withdrawal would cause its deterioration.

20th century and Present

Currently, heThe fortification is protected by theGeneric declaration of the Decree of April 22, 1949 and Law 16/1985 on Spanish Historical Heritage.

The castle of the Guard of Jaén

The castle is built on an irregular triangle plan divided into different areas.

Alcazar

In the northwest corner,situate he citadelr, which has undergone numerous reforms. Built on a rectangular plan defended bycfour towers, each ofdifferent shape. The Alcázar is surrounded by a masonry wall.

The Tower of Homage

Tower of the Tribute withsituate in the northwest end.stands up 35 meters high on a square plan divided into three bodies.

the bottom floor It is made of solid material and its function is to adapt to the rock on which it is governed.

the second levelIt is configured by an internal space with an octagonal plan, with what are currently lookout balconies.

to the third level and the terrace with battlements was accessed through a staircase embedded in its walls.

Parish Church of Santa Maria

The remains of the parish church of Santa María from the 16th century, built on a rectangular plan, has six chapelssides and one bell tower.

Access

La Guardia castle is open to the public onSaturdays and Sundays, the24 hours of the day, under previous reservation in the Town Hall of La Guardia de Jaén.

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