Frias Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frías Castle |
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| Castillo de los Duques de Frías | |
| Frías, Burgos, Spain | |
Castle of Frías view from the town, 2007
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| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ayuntamiento de Frías |
| Controlled by | Kingdom of Castile (10th-11th century) Crown of Castile (11th-18th century) |
| Open to the public |
Yes |
| Condition | Partly preserved |
| Site history | |
| Built | 10th century; rebuilt 15th century |
| Materials | Stone |
| Garrison information | |
| Past commanders |
House of Armengol (until 1201) Alfonso VIII (1201-1205) Dukes of Frías (House of Velasco): Bernardino Fernández de Velasco (1492-1512) Íñigo Fernández de Velasco y López de Mendoza (1512-1528) Pedro Fernández de Velasco (1528-1559) Íñigo Fernández de Velasco y Girón (1559-1585) Juan Fernández de Velasco (1585-1613) |
Frías Castle is an amazing old castle located in the town of Frías, in the Burgos province of Spain. It sits high up, looking over the beautiful Tobalina valley. This castle was built a long time ago, between the 12th and 15th centuries. It was once the home of important noble families, like the Dukes of Frías.
Contents
Discover Frías Castle
Frías Castle is also known as the Castillo de los Duques de Frías. It is a great example of a medieval fortress. The castle was built on a rocky hill. This made it very hard for enemies to attack.
Why was it built here?
The castle's location was very important. It controlled a main road that connected the Basque Country with the Mediterranean Sea. This road was used for trade and travel. So, the castle helped protect this important route.
Who owned the castle?
Over the centuries, many powerful groups controlled Frías Castle.
- In its early days, it was part of the Kingdom of Castile.
- Later, it became a key fortress for the Crown of Castile.
- From the 15th century, it was owned by the House of Velasco. They were the Dukes of Frías.
The Velasco Family
The Velasco family were very important nobles in Spain. They held the title of Dukes of Frías. This family owned the castle for many years. They made changes and additions to the castle over time.
Castle Design and Features
Frías Castle has a unique design. It was built to fit the shape of the rocky hill. This means it's not a typical square castle.
What can you see today?
Even though it's very old, parts of the castle are still standing. You can see:
- The main tower, called the keep. This was the strongest part of the castle.
- Parts of the walls that protected the castle.
- Some of the rooms where people lived.
- The entrance gate, which was heavily guarded.
Building Materials
The castle was built using strong stone. This material helped it last for hundreds of years. The builders used local stone from the area.
Life at the Castle
Imagine what life was like inside Frías Castle! It was a busy place.
- Soldiers guarded the walls day and night.
- Servants worked to keep the castle running.
- The noble family lived in the more comfortable parts.
What was the castle used for?
The castle had several uses:
- Defense: Its main job was to protect the town and the trade route.
- Home: It was the home of the Dukes of Frías and their family.
- Symbol of Power: It showed how powerful the noble family was.
Visiting Frías Castle Today
Today, Frías Castle is open to visitors. You can explore its ancient walls and towers. It's a great way to learn about medieval history. The castle is partly preserved. This means some parts are still in good condition, while others show their age.
Gallery
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Main entrance
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Romanesque windows
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Frías para niños
