Fuensaldaña Castle facts for kids
Fuensaldaña Castle (which is called Castillo de Fuensaldaña in Spanish) is an old castle in the small village of Fuensaldaña, Spain. It's only about 6 kilometers (about 4 miles) away from Valladolid, which is the biggest city in the region of Castile and León.
A Look Back: The Castle's History
The building of Fuensaldaña Castle started way back in the 1200s, during the 13th century. But the castle you see today didn't get its final shape until the middle of the 1400s (the 15th century). People who were captured, called Moors, helped to build it.
The person who ordered the castle to be built was named Alonso Pérez de Vivero. Sadly, he was killed because he was thought to be plotting against Álvaro de Luna, who was a very powerful friend of King John II of Castile.
Later, the famous Catholic Monarchs of Spain (Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II) took the castle away from the Vivero family. This happened because the family didn't support them during a big fight called the War of Castilian Succession. However, the castle was given back to the Vivero family in 1490. Did you know that the Catholic Monarchs themselves spent their honeymoon at this very castle in 1469?
In 1521, during a time of rebellion called the Revolt of the Comuneros, the castle was taken over by the rebels.
The Castle Today
In July 1983, Demetrio Madrid, who was the leader of the government for Castile and León, chose Fuensaldaña Castle to be the home of the Cortes of Castile and León. This is like the regional parliament or law-making group.
However, in 2007, the Cortes moved to a brand new building in the city of Valladolid. This was a bit of a challenge for the castle's owners, the Province of Valladolid, and for the people living in the village.
Good news came in 2011 when work began to fix up the castle. These renovations finished in late 2012. After that, the castle was opened to everyone! Now, it's a popular place for tourists to visit. It's also used for special events like weddings, meetings, and music concerts. By 2015, it was even safe for visitors to go up to the roof of the castle's main tower and enjoy the views.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Fuensaldaña para niños
