San Esteban de Deyo facts for kids
San Esteban de Deyo, also known as the Castillo de Monjardín, is an old, ruined castle in Navarre, Spain. It sits high up on a hill, about 890 meters (2,920 feet) above sea level, looking over the town of Villamayor de Monjardín. This castle has a very long history, starting with a Roman base, and it was rebuilt many times over hundreds of years.
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A Castle with a Long History
The Castillo de Monjardín was once a very important fortress. It was one of the last strongholds held by the Banu Qasi, who were a powerful local Muslim family. But in the year 914, King Sancho I of Navarre captured the castle from them. This was a big moment in the history of the region.
Legends and Stories
There's also a famous old story about the castle. In a book from the 12th century called the Codex Calixtinus, there's a tale called Historia Caroli Magni et Rotholandi. This story is about the famous emperor Charlemagne and his knight Roland. According to this legend, Charlemagne himself took the castle from a prince named Furré, who ruled Navarre. It's a fun story, even if it's not exactly how history happened!
What Remains Today
Today, only the strong walls of the castle are left standing. Many of the original stones from the castle were used for another building project. In the 17th century, people took stones from the castle to build a beautiful Baroque church called the Ermita de San Esteban. This church is still there today.
Protecting History
The ruins of San Esteban de Deyo are very important for history and culture. Because of this, on June 25, 1985, the castle was officially named a Bien de Interés Cultural de Navarra. This means it's a special cultural site that needs to be protected and preserved.
Gallery
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A well-kept corner tower of the castle's outer wall.
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The Baroque church built using stones from the castle.
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A wide view of the castle's outer wall that is still standing.
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The castle, on the hill to the left, was a very important landmark in the 10th century.
