Gormaz Castle

History.
A Caliph Islamic Fortress built by Al-Haquem II at the end of the 10th century on previous remains. It rises on a steep ridge from the dominating the extensive neighboring lands in an attempt to improve its defense and reinforce the border to the north of the Douro, weakened by the repopulating thrust of the nascent Christian kingdoms.

Being created in the first years of the Reconquista is assaulted in countless occasions by both Muslims and Christians, due to its various restorations and extensions over the years, until its final possession by Fernando I in 1059.

The Castle constitutes the maximum exponent of the military architecture Soriana, and of the Peninsula. It was a military center to support Medinaceli, the capital of the Muslim Middle East. With the Catholic Monarchs (15th century) it was used as a prison.

The castle consists of two distinct parts separated by a moat. To the east is the Alcázar, the tower of the homage, the "tower of Almanzor", the cistern and the caliphs. In the western part there is a pool to give drink to the animals and a large esplanade where the troops were encamped. It has a large door that denotes its Islamic origin, the Gate Califal. On the west side of the wall there are three stelae, one of Roman origin and one clearly Islamic, that were placed there to frighten the evil spirits.

Do you want to pay a visit?
The entrance to this imposing fortress is free. For more information on schedules and visits, please contact 975 350 002

More information in:
http://www.sorianitelaimaginas.com/patrimonio/castillo-de-gormaz
http://www.castillodegormaz.com/