Castillo o Torre facts for kids
The Castillo o Torre (which means Castle or Tower) is an old ruined building in a place called La Torre d'En Besora. This town is in the Alt Maestrat area of Castellón, which is part of the Valencia region in Spain. This historic site is officially recognized as a "Bien de Interés Cultural" landmark, meaning it's a very important cultural treasure.
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A Look Back: The Castle's Story
The town of La Torre d'En Besora started a long time ago as a simple Arab farm. However, experts who have studied the area believe there might have been an even older settlement here, built by the Iberians. This ancient place was known as "Vinrabino," and it already had a defensive tower, which was common for protection back then.
From Vinrabino to Besora's Tower
Later, a king named Jaime I of Aragon and his troops took control of these lands. The settlement was then renamed "Tower of Vinrabí." Over time, it was connected to important figures like Blasco de Alagón and Guillem de Anglesola.
The most significant change happened when the land came under the control of Ramon de Besora. On January 5, 1274, he was given the right to establish a town here. Ramon de Besora decided to rebuild parts of the old Muslim tower and added a strong, fortified house right next to it. The village that grew around this new structure became known as "La Torre d'En Besora." This name means "the tower of Mr. Besora," showing who was in charge.
Why the Castle Became a Ruin
As time passed, the castle's importance for defense slowly faded away. Because it was no longer needed as much, people stopped taking care of it, and it eventually fell into ruin. Some of its stones and other materials were even used to help build the local church, the parish church of St. Bartholomew, during the 18th century. Today, it stands as a reminder of the area's long and interesting history.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo o Torre (Torre de Emberosa) para niños
