Castle of Ojos Negros facts for kids
The Castle of Ojos Negros is an old castle found in the town of Ojos Negros. This town is located between the province of Teruel in Aragon and Guadalajara in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. The castle sits high up in the village, watching over everything.
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History of the Castle
This castle was built on top of even older ruins from the Iberian people. The local community paid for its construction in 1303. At one point, the castle was burned down, but it was quickly rebuilt the very next year. In 1363, local people used the castle as a safe place to live and hide during difficult times. Inside the castle, there was a small chapel dedicated to San Juan. The castle itself had a large oval shape and was surrounded by the ancient Iberian walls.
What the Castle Looked Like
The Castle of Ojos Negros originally had three towers. Today, one of these towers is mostly in ruins. Another tower is still standing and is sometimes used to show exhibitions.
The Upper Tower
The tower located on the highest part of the castle has a strong stone base. Above this base, the rest of the tower was made from mud, and it is now quite damaged.
The Middle Tower
The second tower is built from a mix of masonry (stone and mortar) and mud. This tower is in much better condition and is even used for housing today. A wall connects this tower to the third tower.
The Lower Tower
The third tower is found on a lower part of the castle's walled area. The main tower, often called the keep or "Homage Tower," is built with strong masonry and ashlar (cut stones). It has narrow openings called "saeteras" that were used for shooting arrows. On the side facing inside the castle walls, there is a gateway with an arch. This arch leads into the "Homage Tower" and has a slightly pointed shape.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Ojos Negros para niños
