Peralada Castle facts for kids
Peralada Castle is an amazing old castle located in Peralada, a town in Catalonia, Spain. For a long time, it was the home of an important family of nobles called the viscounts of Peralada. This family started with a person named Berenguer, who was the son of Count Ponce I of Empúries.
The original castle faced a big challenge in 1285. During a war when the French army invaded the Empordà region, the castle and other nearby buildings were attacked and burned down. This happened during a special military campaign against Catalonia led by King Philip III of France. Today, you can still find parts of this very old castle in the higher areas of the town.
A New Castle Rises
After the first castle was destroyed, a brand new one was built. This happened in the middle of the 13th century. It was built outside the new town walls, which helped protect it better.
From Medieval to Renaissance
Over many years, the castle changed and grew. In the Renaissance period, which was a time of great art and learning, the castle got a beautiful new front part. This new facade gave it a more elegant and grand look.
Growing Through the Centuries
The castle continued to be updated and expanded. In the 19th century, it was made even bigger. This means the castle you see today has parts from different times in history, showing how it has changed and adapted over hundreds of years. It's a mix of medieval strength and later, more decorative styles.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Peralada para niños
