Bentomiz Castle facts for kids
Bentomiz Castle is a very old fortress built by the Moors. It sits high up on a hill near a village called Arenas in the province of Málaga, Spain. The castle is about 711 meters (2,333 feet) above sea level. It's located to the northeast of another town, Vélez-Málaga.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Who Lived Here?
People believe that different groups lived on this castle site long ago. These include the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans. We don't know for sure which parts of the castle ruins belong to each group. However, Roman baths have been found there. Later, the Berbers, who were a group from North Africa, built upon the existing structures.
A Stronghold in History
The fortress was once called Munt Mās. It was mentioned in the writings of Abdallah ibn Buluggin. He was a ruler of the Taifa of Granada in the 11th century. He described Bentomiz Castle as a very strong and important place. The fortress gave up to him during a civil war he had with his brother, Tamim.
The Castle and the Kings
In 1487, Ferdinand II of Aragon, a Spanish king, was on his way to Vélez-Málaga. This was part of a big campaign that ended with the Siege of Málaga (1487). The Granadan Sultan, El Zagal, brought his army to stop them. He placed his forces around Bentomiz Castle.
On the night of April 25, 1487, the Moors attacked the Christian army's supplies. But they were pushed back and quickly retreated towards Granada. After this, the castle was taken over by the Catholic Monarchs (Ferdinand and Isabella) in 1487. They kept it as a defensive outpost to protect the area.
What's Left Today?
Bentomiz Castle is now mostly in ruins. However, you can still see parts of its old towers and walls. There are also some underground chambers that remain. It's a fascinating place to visit and imagine what life was like long ago!
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Bentomiz para niños
