Castle of Nalda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Castle of Nalda |
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| Native name Spanish: Castillo de Nalda |
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North side picture
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| Location | Nalda La Rioja |
| Built | Between 12th and 19th centuries |
| Official name: Castillo de Nalda | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 5 May 1949 |
The Castle of Nalda is an old castle found in a place called Nalda, in La Rioja (Spain). It's a really interesting building from the Middle Ages.
Contents
History of Nalda Castle
Early Beginnings
The first records we have of the Castle of Nalda are from the year 1299. But the castle might be even older than that! It was built in a very important spot. This spot helped protect the Iregua valley from attacks. It was part of a strong defense system.
A Powerful Family's Home
In the 1300s, the castle became very important. It was linked to a powerful family called Ramírez de Arellano. The castle became the main center of their power. They controlled a huge area called the Lordship of Cameros. This land stretched from the north of Soria all the way to the Ebro valley.
Changes Over Time
As years passed, the castle's use changed. It was no longer mainly for fighting. Instead, it became a building for managing the area. It was like an office for the local government.
However, in the early 1800s, things changed again. Old systems of power were ended. The castle was no longer needed. People started taking its stones to build other things. It became like a stone quarry. Over time, the old fortress was covered in rubble. The hill where it stood was even used as a threshing floor. This is a flat area where farmers separate grain from stalks. Small family wine cellars were also dug into the hill.
Bringing the Castle Back
In 2012, the local town halls of Nalda and Islallana had an idea. They wanted to make the castle hilltop a nice viewpoint. But first, they needed to find out more about the castle. There were only a few visible parts left.
So, they started an archaeological dig. This is when experts carefully dig to find old things. They found many remains of the castle. This discovery was the start of a big project. They began to dig, study, and fix up the old fortress.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Nalda para niños
