Torres de Oeste facts for kids
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The Oeste Towers (pronounced "Oh-ESS-tay") are the exciting ruins of an old castle in Catoira, Galicia, Spain. They sit right at the top of the Ría de Arousa, which is like a long, narrow bay. You can find them near the Ulla River estuary in the Caldas region of Pontevedra. These towers are what's left of a very important fortress called Castellum Honesti, and they are now considered a national monument!
Contents
A Look Back in Time: History
Built to Protect: Early Days
Back in the 800s, a king named Alfonso III of Leon decided to build this castle. He wanted a strong defense against attacks from Vikings. The two towers you can still see today were built during this time. They have a very old, pre-Roman style. People have found ancient pottery and bronze tools at the site. This shows that people lived here a very long time ago.
Bishops and Builders
About two hundred years later, King Alfonso V of Leon gave the fortress to the church leaders of Iria-Compostela. Bishop Vestruarius was in charge at that time. Later bishops, like Cresconio, Diego Pelaez, and Diego Gelmirez, worked hard to make the castle even stronger. Their goal was to protect the holy city of Santiago de Compostela.
The castle's main shape was finished in the 1100s. Back then, the castle had seven towers. It was also surrounded by marshy lands, which made it even harder for enemies to attack. There is also a chapel from the 1100s inside the castle. Bishop Gelmirez built it to honor Saint James. The Castellum Honesti started to become less important in the 1400s.
The Viking Festival Today
Every summer, on the first Sunday of August, there is a special celebration. It remembers the time when the people successfully fought off a Viking invasion. It's a fun way to learn about history!
See also
In Spanish: Torres de Oeste para niños
