Castle of Burgos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castillo de Burgos |
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| Burgos in Spain | |
Ruins of the Castle of Burgos in 2008
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| Type | Castle |
The Castle of Burgos was an old castle and royal palace in the city of Burgos, Spain. It stood on San Miguel hill, about 75 meters (246 feet) above the city. It was also 981 meters (3,218 feet) above sea level.
Archaeologists have studied this hill. They found that the castle's history goes way back. Some parts might even be from Roman times. Its earliest beginnings are linked to the Visigoths. The castle grew bigger over many centuries. It became a very important fortress and a home for the kings of Castile.
Later, when the Habsburg family became rulers, the castle was not used as much. During the French occupation, on June 15, 1813, the French army decided to leave Burgos Castle. They blew it up with explosives. This explosion almost completely destroyed the castle. Today, the castle remains in ruins.
History of Burgos Castle
Ancient Times at the Castle Hill
In the mid-1980s, experts studied the castle hill. They found signs of very old human settlements. These findings show that people lived here a long, long time ago. There were traces of groups from the Beaker culture. There were also signs from the first Iron Age. The oldest town found in Burgos was located on the castle hill. It dates back to around 2000 B.C.
How the Castle Started in Medieval Times
In the early 860 AD, a Muslim historian mentioned a battle. It was against "Gundisalvo," the Lord of Burdgia (Burgos). Some historians believe a large fortress was already there by 865. This was when Muslims invaded the Castilian area.
About 20 years later, King Alfonso III ordered Count Diego Rodríguez Porcelos to rebuild Burgos. He also told him to make it stronger. This happened after Alfonso III won important battles.
Burgos became a very important city. It needed a strong fortress. Travelers from the Middle Ages often wrote about how safe and powerful the castle felt. During the time of King Alfonso VIII of Castile, the castle changed a lot. Skilled builders updated it to fit the Mudéjar style. Later, King Henry IV made more changes. He wanted to make the castle more beautiful. He turned it into a palace with many rooms and a chapel.
The castle was seen as very important for the kingdom.
"The kings of Castile, having that fortress, has title to the kingdom, and can be with good confidence called kings of it, because it is head of Castile and chamber of the kings."
Castle Under Siege
The Castle of Burgos faced attacks several times. Ferdinand the Catholic attacked it in a war against Joanna la Beltraneja. This attack started in August 1474. It lasted until January 1476. This was one of the hardest fights the castle ever saw. The attackers tried to cut off the castle's water. Miners also worked to dig tunnels. They wanted to reach the well and make the walls fall down.
The castle was not attacked again until 1812. This was during the Siege of Burgos. The army of the Duke of Wellington attacked the city. But they had problems getting supplies. French soldiers also came to help. So, Wellington had to stop his attack. He retreated to the Portuguese border.
Famous People Held Prisoner
The Castle of Burgos was also used as a state prison. Important people were held there. These included kings like García II of Galicia and Alfonso VI of León and Castile. Tomás de Gournay, who was involved in the death of King Edward II of England, was also a prisoner.
In 1277, Prince Frederick of Castile was executed in the castle. He was the son of King Ferdinand III of Castile. His brother, King Alfonso X of Castile, ordered his death. Another person, Simón Ruiz of Cameros, was also executed at the same time.
An old record describes Prince Frederick's death:
"It was a thousand and three hundred and sixteen years, the Infante Don Sancho, son of King Alfonso and heir, prisonered to Don Ximón Ruiz of Cameros in Logroño by order of the king his father. Is in this year king Alfonso prisonered to Don Frederick, his brother, in Burgos, and sending him get into the castle and put in a chest that was filled with sharp irons and died there."
Years later, in 1282, Prince Frederick's remains were moved. His nephew, King Sancho IV of Castile, ordered them to be taken to a monastery in Burgos.
Gunpowder Factory at the Castle
During the Early Modern Age, military methods changed. Spain's wars were fought far away. Because of this, the castle slowly lost its role as a defense point. Instead, it became a place for making gunpowder. It was also the first training school for gunners in Spain. In 1542, it made about 20 quintals of gunpowder every day.
Royal Alcázar (Palace)
The castle also served as a royal palace. King Alfonso X had a palace there. Later, King Henry III of Castile and his son, King John II of Castile, lived there too.
The Castle's Destruction
In 1739, a fire badly damaged the castle's inside. Many beautiful ceilings were destroyed. During the War of Independence, Burgos became important again. The French army made the castle's defenses stronger. It was a key point to control the Castilian plain.
In 1813, Wellington's army moved quickly. The French decided to leave the castle. They did not want to be trapped. They planned to blow up the castle. This would stop the enemy from using it. They were in such a hurry that they blew it up before all their soldiers had left. More than 200 French soldiers died in the explosion. The blast shook the whole city.
The explosion also destroyed the Church of Santa María La Blanca. The cathedral lost most of its windows. The church of San Esteban was also damaged. The French soldiers who died are buried nearby.
Semaphore Communication Line
The Castle of Burgos was important for a communication system. This was a semaphore line built in Spain in the 1800s. Semaphore towers used signals to send messages over long distances. In Burgos province, you can still see parts of these towers. They connected Madrid to Irun. The Castle of Burgos was tower number 27 on the "Line of Castile."
Recent Discoveries
The castle was used a little during the Carlist Wars. It was also used for air defense during the Civil War of 1936.
Between 1955 and 1958, some efforts were made to rebuild parts of it.
In 1985, archaeologists found a deep well with spiral stairs. Cave explorers went down 61 meters (200 feet). They saw the amazing stonework. It was a great example of Medieval engineering. Later, a water tank was also found under the main courtyard.
Experts have also made a digital model of the castle. They used an old drawing from 1576.
What the Castle is Like Today
Today, the castle ruins are a public space. There are paths named after poets. The castle is mostly in ruins. But it has become a museum and a visitor center. It opened in 2003. Visitors can explore the old well and tunnels. These tunnels are known as the Cueva del Moro (Moor's Cave).
Castle Gates
Recent digs have found parts of the South Gate. It is a broken wall with an opening. Two round towers stand on each side. The main front gate is in the northwest. It has a vaulted passage.
The Castle's Well
The well is part of an underground system. It has tunnels that are more than 300 meters (984 feet) long. The well itself was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. But the first records of it are from 1475. This was during a siege by the army of Isabella I of Castile. The castle was defended by supporters of Joanna la Beltraneja.
The well is made of limestone blocks. It is a vertical cylinder that goes down 61.50 meters (201.77 feet). You can go down using 6 spiral staircases. Each is about 1.4 meters (4.6 feet) wide inside.
An old description says:
"For that this Castle was safer and it not could take by thirst, made its founder near its entrance, on the inside, a so deep well, which for down to the birth of water has around a snail-shaped stone staircase and three hundred thirty-five steps with its skylights in places that give light, although low, and is so artfully done that looks like work of enchantment.
Other Parts of the Castle
You can also see the outer wall (bailey). There are remains of the main tower (Tower of Homage). Some old tombs shaped like people have been found. There are also parts of several rooms and floors.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Burgos para niños
- List of missing landmarks in Spain
