Trovador Macías castle

Municipality: Arjonilla

Regions: Campiña Norte de Jaén

Latitude: 37.974159°

Longitude: -4.104864°

Altitude: 342.589 m

Video - Trovador Macías castle

Introduction

Strategically located halfway between Arjona and Andújar, Arjonilla Castle stands as a silent witness to history in the province of Jaén. Positioned on the route connecting Andújar to Porcuna, this castle overlooks a region of great fertility and historical wealth.

While this castle may not be known for famous military feats that occurred within its walls, its notoriety is linked to a romantic event that unfolded in its tower.

It was here that Macías, known as "the Enamored," was imprisoned, and his tragic love story inspired literary works by renowned authors such as Juan de Mena, Lope de Vega, and Mariano José de Larra.

The history of Arjonilla Castle, though not filled with epic battles, holds a special charm associated with romance and passion.

This castle serves as a tangible reminder of the intersection between history and literature, where reality and fiction blend to create a unique narrative within the rich cultural heritage of Jaén.

The castle

Arjonilla Castle, a remarkable piece of medieval architecture in the province of Jaén, stands out for its distinctive structure and architectural features.

The construction of the castle, made of Christian masonry, is based on an irregular polygon. In three of its corners, solid circular towers were erected, showcasing the original design"s focus on defense.

The castle walls include parapets and battlements, with remnants that still stand as silent witnesses to its defensive past.

The most prominent and characteristic element of Arjonilla Castle is its tower, built by Christians in the 13th century. This tower is unique in its design and structure, as it incorporates three sections of walls.

Although the tower isn"t overly large, it has a square plan measuring five and a half meters on each side and reaches a height of seventeen meters.

Its construction primarily utilized rubble masonry, with ashlar and bricks used to emphasize specific architectural details. The tower consists of two superimposed levels, both covered with vaulted ceilings.

In the 15th century, a spacious window was added to the upper floor of the tower. Access to the lower floor, which is now nearly at ground level, was through a brick semicircular arch.

For the upper level, a similar arch was used, but this time with stone voussoirs, leaving only a narrow opening.

On the north side of the tower, there is a doorway with a pointed brick arch and an elbow-shaped entrance.

It"s possible that the castle once had another, larger Tower of Homage used for storage and as a residence for the castle"s lords, although this structure no longer exists today.

Arjonilla Castle, with its unusual design and rich history, stands as a valuable testament to medieval architecture in the province of Jaén.

History

Arjonilla Castle, a testament to historical transformations in the province of Jaén, has undergone a remarkable process of evolution over the centuries.

Its initial fortifications date back to the 12th century when the Almohads built a small fortified enclosure with towers to protect the peasant hamlet and its fertile lands from the Christian threat.

The conquest of Arjona by Fernando III in 1244 incorporated the territory of Arjonilla into this city, although there were temporary exceptions, such as when King Sancho IV made Arjonilla a lordship in 1282 and granted it to the archdeacon of Úbeda. However, in 1293, this town returned to the hands of Arjona, maintaining this dependency until Felipe II granted Arjonilla the status of a villa in the second half of the 16th century.

It was in the 13th century that Christians began shaping the defensive enclosure of Arjonilla into a castle. In the 15th century, King Juan II handed over the castle and the town to the Order of Calatrava, who committed to repopulate it and restore its structures.

In the 16th century, Arjonilla Castle underwent significant transformations. It became a cemetery and housed the hermitage of Santa Catalina within its walls. In the 17th century, part of the southern wall was demolished to connect it to the palace of the Marquess Viudo de la Merced. At the end of the 19th century, Manuel Vicente Parras acquired and restored this castle.

Today, Arjonilla Castle is municipal property and has served various functions throughout its history, including being used as a school in the past. Its evolution reflects the richness and diversity of Jaén"s history and its ability to adapt to the changing needs of the communities that have occupied it.

Legends

At the beginning of the 15th century, Macías a young troubadour from Galicia was in love with Elvira, Enrique de Aragón’s (Grand Master of Calatrava) relative.

The Marquis of Villena moved to Jaén and sent Macías into battle against the Castilians. Meanwhile a nobleman from Porcuna, Hernán Pérez de Vadillo fell in love with Elvira but she did not love him back.

María de Albornoz, Enrique’s wife, lied to Elvira saying that Macías was dead. María persuaded her husband to force Elvira to marry the nobleman of Porcuna.

However, Macías returned and once again courted Elvira. Hernán Pérez realised and instructed the Marquis of Villena to forbid his young competitor to continue the relationship. Macías refused and was imprisoned in the tower. From the tower, the gloomy troubadour sang sad poems to Elvira. Elvira’s jealous husband ended the tragedy by killed Macías - by throwing a lance through the tower roof.

Photo Gallery - Trovador Macías castle

Notice: Undefined variable: nombre in /var/www/vhosts/castillosyfortalezasdejaen.com/httpdocs/castle.php on line 98

Notice: Undefined variable: nombre in /var/www/vhosts/castillosyfortalezasdejaen.com/httpdocs/castle.php on line 98