The Castle of Torija (Spanish: Castillo de Torija) is a castle located in Torija, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931.[1] First built by the Knights Templar in the 11th century, today it serves as the headquarters of the Centro de Interpretación Turística de la Provincia de Guadalajara, the regional tourism authority.
| Castle of Torija | |
|---|---|
| Native name Castillo de Torija (Spanish) | |
 | |
| Location | Torija, Spain |
| Coordinates | 40°44′40″N 3°01′49″W / 40.744444°N 3.030278°W |
| Official name | Castillo de Torija |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 1931 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0000610 |
  Location of Castle of Torija in Spain | |
History
editThe castle was built by the Knights Templar in the 11th century, becoming an important fortress in successive medieval wars.[2] In 1445, it was taken by the Navarran captain Juan de Puelles and was subsequently owned by Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza (1428–1495). In the 19th century, it was occupied by the French under General Hugo, the father of Victor Hugo, until it was taken and destroyed by El Empecinado. Its restoration was completed in 1962.[3]
Description
editFor a military fortress, it exhibits a particularly impressive level of architecture. Constructed of Alcarria limestone, the rectangular structure has three round towers and a square keep. A well stands at the centre of its courtyard.[4] Its high walls are not very thick indicating that it was completed before artillery came into common use. The main tower which is built apart from the remainder of the structure was the last bastion of resistance.[3] Today the castle houses the Centro de Interpretación Turística de la Provincia de Guadalajara. A museum is being developed on the premises.[2]
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References
edit
- ^ "Consulta a la base de datos de bienes inmuebles". Gobierno de España (in Spanish). Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Centro de Interpretación Turística de la Provincia de Guadalajara (Castillo de Torija)" (in Spanish). Diputación de Guadalajara. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Castillo de Torija" (in Spanish). Turismo Castilla-La Mancha. Archived from the original on 16 October 2014. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
- ^ "Historia" (in Spanish). Ayuntamiento de Torija. Retrieved 26 September 2014.