San Juan de las Águilas Castle, Aguilas, Spain

San Juan de las Águilas Castle dates from the 18th century, although its origins go back to the Carthaginian period. After the expulsion of the Arabs, the castle was abandoned.

Its reconstruction was tackled at a later date but not quite successfully until King Charles I of Spain (1530) ordered, by Royas Decree, ist rebuilding with the aim of guarding the coastal strip between Vera and Mazarrón, which was threatened by Turkish and Algerian raids. The building work on this castle was tackled again in 1579, under the reing of Philip II. The Torre de las Aguilas (The Eagles Tower) was built in this period. Its last remodelling would be undertaken under Charles III (in the 18th century), who decided to extend the fortress due to the town's incresing population and the constant Berber attacks to which the port and its population were subjected.

This new remodelling turned it into one of the best fortified castles of this period.Currently, there are very few remains of the splendour of this fortress. A coat of arms, where Castile¿s lions might be represented, can still be observed in one of the preserved façades. Recent excavations have revealed underground passages in the surrounding area, which, according to popular beliefs, used to connect this castle with another fortress of the municipality, the Castle of Tébar. In addition to the fortress, also of tourist interest is the panoramic sight of the city of Aguilas that can be admired from its location.It was restored in 2007 and opened as a museum in 2009.

References:

murciaturistica.es

Castles and fortifications in Spain

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Edwin Brauns (3 years ago)
Nice , clean castle ?a lot of stairs

Brian Cross (3 years ago)
Small castle but on a hill with great views all round. Only €2 entrance. There is a lift but it wasn't working when we were there. It closes for lunch at 1:30, last ticket sold 30 minutes before closing. It's a long walk up if you get there too late! Pensioners are free entrance!

kasper fens (4 years ago)
For €2 you can get great views of the city.

Rob Mimi (4 years ago)
Interesting place, good view

Felix Capili (4 years ago)
Great view of the beach, port and of whole Aguilas from the castle.

San Juan de las Águilas Castle

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Church of St Donatus