Castle of San Servando facts for kids
The Castle of San Servando is an old castle from the Middle Ages in Toledo, Spain. It sits right next to the Tagus River. This amazing building started as a monastery (a home for monks) before becoming a fortress for the famous Knights Templar. In 1874, the castle was officially named a national monument, meaning it's a very important historical site. You can even see the castle in a famous painting called View of Toledo by El Greco. Today, it's connected to the Santa Bárbara area of Toledo by a road called Cuesta de San Servando.
Contents
A Home for Monks
Early Days
Long, long ago, possibly in the 600s, there was a monastery and a church called San Servando in this spot. It was a place where monks lived and prayed.
In 1080, a special church leader named Cardinal Richard came to Spain. He had a job from Pope Gregory VII: to make sure everyone in the church used the same type of service, called the Roman Rite. He also had instructions to help fix up the San Servando monastery.
Kings and Monks
When King Alfonso VI of Castile and his army took over the city of Toledo in 1085, he and his wife, Constance, really liked the San Servando church and monastery. They helped rebuild it.
According to a writer named John Ormsby, King Alfonso VI named the castle "San Servando" after a Spanish hero. Over time, the name changed a bit, like to San Servan or San Cervantes. Interestingly, the famous writer Miguel de Cervantes, who wrote Don Quixote, might have had family connections to this area. In 2005, a poem by Miguel de Cervantes was placed near the castle to celebrate 400 years since he wrote it.
In 1088, King Alfonso gave the monastery to the Holy See (the Pope's main office) so it would always be looked after by a big monastery in France called the Abbey of St. Victor. The Pope agreed, and French monks came to San Servando, bringing their way of life, called the Rule of St. Benedict.
King Alfonso wanted the monastery to be a strong Christian presence in the area. He also helped start a monastery for nuns nearby. Both groups of monks and nuns were supposed to help poor people and travelers.
Sadly, in 1110, the monastery was attacked and destroyed. The monks had to go back to France. After this, the San Servando monastery became the property of the main church leader in Toledo, the Archbishop of Toledo.
Knights Templar Take Over
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Later, King Alfonso VIII gave the monastery to the Knights Templar. These were famous warrior monks who protected travelers and fought in wars. They turned the monastery into a strong fortress. Their main job was to protect the important Alcántara Bridge from possible attacks.
Once the danger of attacks lessened and the Knights Templar group was ended in 1312, the fortress wasn't as important anymore. It became neglected. Today, if you visit the castle, you might hear stories about a knight named Don Nuño Alvear who supposedly haunts the place!
What is it Used For Now?
The castle was painted by the famous artist El Greco in his well-known painting, View of Toledo.
Today, the Castle of San Servando is used as a youth hostel. This means young people can stay there when they are traveling.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de San Servando para niños
