San Joaquin Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Joaquin Castle |
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The castle in 2021
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| Type | fortification |
| Location | La Cuesta, Tenerife |
| Built | 1586 |
| Rebuilt | 1780 |
| Designated | 2000 |
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The San Joaquin Castle (which is Castillo de San Joaquín in Spanish) is an old fort. It is located inland in La Cuesta, on the island of Tenerife. This island is part of the Canary Islands in Spain. The castle sits on the road that connects two important towns: Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna.
The idea for a fort here started in 1586. Governor D. Juan Núñez de la Fuente ordered some platforms to be built. An Italian designer named Leonardo Torriani planned them. However, these first plans were not finished. The castle you see today began to be built much later, in 1780. Its main job was to protect the inside of the island. This was important in case enemies managed to get past the forts on the coast.
Contents
What the Castle Looks Like
San Joaquin Castle has a square shape. At each of its four corners, there is a round tower. Inside the castle, there is a central open area called a courtyard. There are also rooms or sections on two sides of this courtyard. Two of the towers were used to keep gunpowder safe.
How the Castle Was Used
The outside of the castle has mostly stayed the same over many years. But the inside has changed a lot. It was used for many different things.
- It was once a military prison.
- It also stored ammunition.
- At one point, it was even a dovecote, a place for pigeons!
The castle was also home to the Cuerpo de Colombofilia Militar Español. This was a special military group that used pigeons to send messages.
The Castle Today
In 1996, the castle was sold to a private person. Now, it is empty and not used.
The Spanish Ministry of National Education officially recognized the castle on April 22, 1949. Later, on February 15, 2000, it was declared a "Property of Cultural Interest." This means it is an important historical site.
Images for kids
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The castle in 2021
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de San Joaquín para niños
