Castle of Alcocer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle of Alcocer |
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| Native name Spanish: Castillo de Alcocer |
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Excavation work of the Castle of Alcocer
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| Location | Ateca, Spain |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | archaeological site |
| Reference no. | 1-INM-ZAR-020-038-013 |
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The Castle of Alcocer was an old fortified village built by Muslims in a place called La Mora Encantada. You can find its remains in Ateca, a town in Spain, near the city of Zaragoza. It's a very important archaeological site, which means a place where scientists study old things to learn about the past.
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History of Alcocer Castle
This castle is located by the Jalón River, close to the towns of Ateca and Terrer. It plays a big part in a famous old Spanish poem called the Cantar de Mio Cid.
The poem tells stories about the year 1081. This was when a famous knight named El Cid was in exile, meaning he had to leave his home. The poem describes his adventures and battles in the Jalón Valley.
For a long time, people thought these stories were just fiction. But new discoveries from archaeological digs are making people wonder. They suggest that some parts of the poem might actually be based on real history.
The name Alcocer comes from an Arabic word, al-Quṣayr. This word means "the small palace." It's a smaller version of al-qaṣr, which means "the palace" or "alcázar".
The Cantar de Mio Cid mentions Alcocer in these lines:
These lines show that the Alcocer in the poem is not the same as the town of Alcocer in Guadalajara. The poem describes El Cid setting up camp on a strong, round hill. This hill is now known as Otero del Cid or Cerro de Torrecid. It is located across the Jalón River from the castle's ruins.
What Alcocer Castle Looks Like
The most noticeable part of the castle today is a large, worn-down cliff. This is what's left of a huge tower made of rammed earth. This tower was likely about 10 by 16 meters (about 33 by 52 feet) at its base.
Recent excavations have uncovered the foundations of other buildings at the base of the tower. These foundations are about 40 centimeters (16 inches) high. It seems that Alcocer was not just a castle. It was more like a "fonda" or a fortified village, a place where people lived and were protected.
Protecting Alcocer Castle
The Castle of Alcocer is officially listed in the Aragonese Registry of Cultural Interest Assets. This means it's considered a very important historical site. It's protected as an archaeological site under a special law from March 10, 1999.
This protection helps make sure the castle's remains are preserved. The list of protected sites was made public on May 22, 2006, in the Official Bulletin of Aragon.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Alcocer para niños
