Mariano Álvarez de Castro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mariano Álvarez de Castro
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Mariano Álvarez de Castro
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| Born | 8 September 1749 Granada, Spain |
| Died | 21 January 1810 (aged 60) Figueres, Spain |
| Allegiance |  Spanish Empire |
| Years of service | 1768—1810 |
| Rank | Field Marshal (posthumous) |
| Battles/wars | Anglo-Spanish War (1779) War of the Pyrenees Peninsular War |
Mariano Álvarez de Castro (born September 8, 1749 – died January 21, 1810) was a brave Spanish military officer. He is best known for being the military governor of Girona. He led the city's defense when the French army attacked it during the Peninsular War, also known as the War of Spanish Independence.
Contents
The Life of a Spanish Hero
Early Years and Military Training
Mariano Álvarez was born in Granada, Spain. He joined the army in 1768 when he was 19 years old. He studied at the Military Academy of Barcelona, learning important skills for a soldier. He finished his studies in 1775.
Rising Through the Ranks
Mariano slowly earned higher ranks in the army. He fought in the Great Siege of Gibraltar in 1783. By 1793, he had become a Colonel of Infantry. This meant he was in charge of many foot soldiers.
During the War of the Pyrenees (1793–1795) against France, he showed great courage. He was part of many important battles and was even wounded. He spent 75 days under fire during the siege of Collioure. Because of his bravery, he was promoted to Brigadier.
A Stand Against French Rule
In 1808, Joseph Bonaparte became the king of Spain. At this time, Álvarez was in charge of the Montjuïc castle in Barcelona. On February 29, French troops arrived to take control of the fortress. Álvarez wanted to defend it, but he received direct orders from his commander to give it up.
Álvarez refused to accept French rule. He left Barcelona and joined the Spanish rebels who were fighting against the French. The Cortes of Cádiz, which was like a temporary government, chose Álvarez to lead the Army of Catalonia. They also made him the Governor of Girona.
The Siege of Girona
Defending the City
On May 6, 1809, a large French army of 18,000 soldiers surrounded Girona. Álvarez had only 5,600 men to defend the city. The French set up 40 gun batteries. Over the next seven months, they fired about 20,000 explosive shells and 60,000 cannonballs into the city.
In August, the French captured the castle of Montjuïc. This was a very important defensive spot. But Álvarez did not give up. He built barricades and dug trenches inside the city. The battle continued fiercely for another four months.
The Fall of Girona
Álvarez became very tired and sick from the long siege. He eventually handed over command to another officer. Two days later, on December 12, the city finally surrendered. It is believed that about 10,000 people, both soldiers and civilians, died inside Girona during the siege. The French also lost many soldiers, around 15,000, mostly due to illness.
The End of His Life
Imprisonment and Death
Even though Álvarez was very ill, the French imprisoned him in Perpignan. On January 9, 1809, Álvarez was taken to the castle of San Fernando in Figueres. He was found dead the next day. The French said he died of a fever, but many Spanish people believed he was poisoned. He was buried simply, wrapped in a sheet, in the cemetery there.
Honoring a Hero
After his death, Mariano Álvarez de Castro received many honors. In April 1809, he was promoted to Field Marshal. In May 1810, he was made a Commander of the First Battalion of the Spanish Royal Guards Regiment.
In 1815, a black marble tablet was placed on his grave. It said that Álvarez had been poisoned and was a "Victim of the Iniquity of the French Tyrant." However, in December 1823, French troops entered Spain again. On the orders of Marshal Moncey, they destroyed the plaque.
In 1880, a special monument was built for him in the Church of San Felix in Girona. It was sculpted by Jeronimo Suñol.
In 2010, about 200 years after his death, an exhibition called "Álvarez de Castro y su tiempo" (Álvarez de Castro and his times) was held. It took place at the castle of San Fernando in Figueres to honor him.
See also
In Spanish: Mariano Álvarez de Castro para niños
