Ayora Castle

Ayora, Spain

The Castle of Ayora  was built probably in the mid-13th century, after the Reconquista, on the site of an ancient Arabian fort. The architectural ensemble was composed of the four-storey residence-palace, two fortified towns, and one large keep, as well as other rooms for the soldiers and serfdom, aljibes (European Middle Ages castle cisterns that collected the rain water to provide drinking water to the castles) and gardens. This was surrounded by around 1,000 m of defensive walls and defensive towers.

The castle was reduced to ruins by the troops of Philip V of Spain, in the War of the Spanish Succession, but its profile and its vast size are still noticeable. The keep, of square plan, the Puerta Falsa (Fake Door), commissioned by the Marchioness of Cenete in the 16th century on which it was her coat of arms, as well as paintings, defensive walls, buckets, moats, and cisterns, stand out in the remains of the castle.

References:

Comments

Your name



Address

Calle Reloj 2A, Ayora, Spain
See all sites in Ayora

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Cristiano Flore (10 months ago)
Castle at the top of the fortress can be accessed by downloading the nearkey app and then contacting the local information point as per the guide hanging on the gate. Only in this way will the door be automatically unlocked and allow you to enter. We found the church door closed, so we could not visit it. The castle can be visited but currently it seems that the restoration work is at a standstill.
Mar Sauret (15 months ago)
Different phases of the restoration have already been done. Carlos gave us a splendid guided tour, with detailed and very interesting explanations. From an enriching and necessary multicultural perspective. And with a captivating smile that hinted at his passion for history and for the town that saw him born. The staff at the Ayora tourist office are doing a brilliant job. Congratulations
Peter Riley (2 years ago)
Locked ?
Tom Bavorak (4 years ago)
beautiful view
Hein Vogelaar (4 years ago)
Be sure to visit the Ayora Tourist Office to arrange a guided tour. Our tour guide was very friendly and explained us a lot about the place. Most of the castle was destroyed long ago, but the remains are being restored and are very much worth a visit.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Clickimin Broch

The Broch of Clickimin is a large and well preserved, though somewhat restored broch near Lerwick. Originally built on an island in Clickimin Loch (now increased in size by silting and drainage), it was approached by a stone causeway. The water-level in the loch was reduced in 1874, leaving the broch high and dry. The broch is situated within a walled enclosure and, unusually for brochs, features a large 'blockhouse' between the opening in the enclosure and the broch itself. Another unusual feature is a stone slab featuring sculptured footprints, located in the causeway which approached the site. Situated across the loch is the Clickimin Leisure Centre.