Castle da Rocha Forte facts for kids
The Castle da Rocha Forte is an old ruined castle located near Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain. It was first written about in documents from 1253, but it was likely built even earlier.
This castle was built in a very important spot. It was on the main road that pilgrims used to travel from Portugal to Santiago. Unlike many castles that are on top of hills, Rocha Forte was in a valley. This allowed it to control all the people and goods coming into the town.
Besides being a strong defense, the castle also served as a home for the Archbishop. It offered a safe place for church leaders during times of trouble with the local people. For example, in 1317, a new Archbishop named Berenguel de Landoira arrived. Some residents were unhappy with him, leading to disagreements. The castle was badly damaged during the Irmandiño wars in the 15th century and was later left empty. In 1472, its walls were taken down. Much later, in 1962, an electricity tower was put up in the castle area.
History of the Castle
The Castle da Rocha Forte was built around 1240 by Archbishop Juan Arias. It was used as a home for the Archbishop and other church officials. This castle saw many important events in the medieval history of Santiago. The first time the fortress was mentioned in official papers was in 1255.
The castle was rebuilt by Archbishop Berenguel de Landoria after it was damaged by the people of Compostela in 1320. This was one of the first known conflicts between the townspeople of Compostela and the church leaders. A person named Alfonso Suárez de Deza led this uprising. These events were written down in a document called "Acts of Don Berenguel de Landoria." It describes how the people of Compostela attacked and burned the castle, and how the Archbishop had to build it again.
The castle also had major changes made by Archbishop Lope de Mendoza, who came from the south.
What's Happening Now
Since 2001, archaeologists have been digging at the castle site. This work is happening thanks to an agreement between the City Council of Santiago and the University of Santiago de Compostela. Their goal is to uncover the old ruins and make them stable. They also plan to create an Archaeological Park, where people can visit and learn about the castle's history.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de la Rocha Forte para niños
