Alcalá del Júcar Castle facts for kids
The Castle of Alcalá del Júcar is an old castle from the 12th and 13th centuries. It was built by the Almohad people. You can find it in the town of Alcalá del Júcar, in the Albacete area of Spain. The castle sits high up, overlooking the beautiful Júcar river gorge.
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History of the Castle
This castle has a long and interesting past! It was first built by the Almohads, who were a group of people from North Africa, between the 12th and 13th centuries. Like many places in this part of Spain, the castle and its lands were home to many different groups over time. These included the Iberians, the Romans, the Arabs, and finally the Christians.
Around the year 1213, a Christian king named Alfonso VIII of Castile took control of this area. From then on, the castle was held by Christians. Later, it became part of the lands belonging to the Marquis of Villena, an important noble family.
Castle Style and Design
The castle's design shows its Islamic roots. It has three floors and features a strong, five-sided tower. You can also see two smaller, round towers. Most of the original wall that once surrounded the entire castle has been lost over time. However, you can still see some parts of these ancient walls today.
The Legend of Princess Zulema
There's a famous legend about the castle and a princess named Zulema. One story tells of her deep and sad love for a Moorish man named Garadar. In this version, a Christian knight captured Garadar and held him in the castle. The knight wanted Garadar to give up his faith and marry Princess Zulema.
Another version of the legend talks about Zulema, who was a Muslim princess, and her forbidden love for a Christian knight. To escape her parents' anger, they ran away. They settled in the place where a nearby village, now called Zulema, stands today.
Visiting the Castle Today
Today, the Castle of Alcalá del Júcar is a popular place for tourists to visit.
- The castle is open to visitors who want to explore its history.
- In 1982, it was named a Historic-Artistic Site. This means it's a very important historical and artistic place. Long ago, it was a customs checkpoint on the Royal Road from Castilla to the East.
- In 1986, the castle won third prize for its beautiful artistic lighting. This award was given by Philips, a famous lighting company.
- In 1994, a special project helped improve the area around the castle, making it even nicer for visitors.
Places Nearby
The castle is close to other interesting places you might want to visit. These include the towns of Jorquera and Villa de Ves.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Alcalá del Júcar para niños
