Castle of Santa Catalina (Jaén) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saint Catherine's Castle |
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Castillo de Santa Catalina
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Saint Catherine's Castle
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| Alternative names | Parador de Jaén |
| Hotel chain | Paradores |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Medieval |
| Location | Jaén, Spain |
| Construction started | 13-15th century |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 3 June 1931 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0000646 |
Saint Catherine's Castle (Castillo de Santa Catalina) is an old castle. It sits high up on a hill called Cerro de Santa Catalina. This hill overlooks the city of Jaén in Spain. Today, part of the castle is a special hotel called a parador. It was designed by José Luis Picardo.
Contents
History of the Castle
How the Castle Began
The castle started as a strong Moorish fortress. This was back in the 8th century. Later, a ruler named Abdallah ibn al-Ahmar made it even better. He was a Nasrid ruler from the Emirate of Granada. He also built the famous Alhambra palace.
Before the parador hotel was built, there was a tower here. It was known as Hannibal's Tower. You can still see some small parts of it today.
Changes by Christian Kings
In 1246, King Ferdinand III of Castile captured the city of Jaén. This happened after the Siege of Jaén. He then started to change the castle. He began building what is now called the New Castle. This part is on the eastern side of the hill.
Most of the building work happened later. It was during the time of King Alfonso X and King Ferdinand IV. The castle has five towers and a main tower called a donjon. One of the towers holds a small church. It is called the Chapel of Saint Catherine.
The donjon was one of the last parts built during this time. It was built by Miguel Lucas de Iranzo. He was a important leader called the Conestable of Castile. The builders used some parts of the old fortress. They also tore down or replaced other parts.
Later Changes and Today
In 1965, the parador hotel was built. This caused many parts of the old castle to be removed. Only a few pieces of the original fortress remain. These are on the western side of the hill.
In the 17th century, some parts inside the buildings were updated. Then, in the early 1800s, Napoleonic soldiers used the castle. They built a place for gunpowder, stables, and a hospital. They also added offices, a kitchen, and a platform for cannons. Not much of these buildings are left today, mostly just their foundations.
At the top of the hill, there is a large cross. It reminds people of the cross King Ferdinand III put there. At the bottom of the cross, a poem is carved into the rock. It is called "Sonnet to the Cross" by the poet Almendros Aguilar.
From the castle and the parador, you can see amazing views. You can look out over the valley of the Guadalquivir river. You can also see the ridges of the Sierra Morena mountains. A famous leader, General Charles de Gaulle, even stayed in the parador. He was writing his memoirs there.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Santa Catalina (Jaén) para niños
