Onda Castle

Onda, Spain

Muslims built the Onda Castle in the 10th century. During the struggle for its control, el Cid Campeador himself once conquered it, but then lost it in favour of the Almoravids in the 12th century. Precisely in 1238, Zayan, the last Moorish king of Valencia, paid Onda to Catalan-Aragonese King Jaume I 'the Conqueror'. From this time on Onda and its Castle went into Christian hands.

After the Christian conquest, town and castle remained under military orders of the Knights Templar, the Hospital and the Montesa. In the early 14th century the city-fortress had yet to be such an impressive view to be referred to, in a metaphorical sense, as the Three Hundred Towers Castle.

Due to its privileged location, the castle witnessed several military conflicts such as the War of the Castilian Succesion in the 14th century; the Revolt of the Brotherhoods; or the War of the Spanish Succession in the 18th century, in which it remained loyal to the Bourbon cause. In 1812, also Napoleon's troops occupied it.

In 1840, after the Carlist Wars, the fortress was rebuilt. However, during the Civil War of 1936, the castle also took part in several confrontations between the two sides.

Between 1920 and 1948, it was used as a Cologne School by the Carmelite Fathers, the school buildings and the Church were erected on the site of ancient structures.

Architecture

The city-fortress was composed of two spaces. On the one hand, the civil city or fortified medina at the first line of wall and, on the other, the castle or political-military city.The castle is divided into two different areas: the first would be the albacara or square (second line of wall), and in turn divided into two parts: the albacara or inner square and the external square. The second area located inside the fortress is the Alcazaba, the official residence of the sultan or governor, situated in the upper part of the Castle, forming the third line of wall.

The building located at the entrance of the castle is the front desk or reception area for visitors. It was erected by the Carmelite friars in the early 20th century and worked as a colony school between 1920 and 1950 –only interrupted its functions during the Spanish Civil War.

For the construction of the building, Carmelite friars took the already existing main cistern of the Arabic castle structure, which supplied water to the inhabitants of the fortress.

References:
  • Onda Tourism

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Address

Barrio el Castillo 1, Onda, Spain
See all sites in Onda

Details

Founded: 10th century AD
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

More Information

www.turismodecastellon.com

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Bruce Pike (9 months ago)
This visit was a great surprise and unexpected pleasure. We were travelling towards the coves of San José for a subterranean river tour when we decided to stop and see a castle. I searched for Castles in the area and decided on this one only because it was easily accessible and on the way. When arriving, I was pleased that it was somewhat restored. The surrounding fortified city is long since gone and inside the walls, there are mostly ruins. However, they have restored a church that is now used for a museum. There is a video presentation of the history of the castle that guides you through the museum using a spotlight. While a reasonably good castle visit as castles visits go, what was fantastic for me was learning the history of Onda and how significant it was when the moors were in Spain. Also, as you drive to Onda, you pass kilometres and kilometres of tile and ceramic factories and you wonder “why are there so many?” . Well, when you arrive at the castle and understand the importance of these decorative ceramics in adorning the Arabic castle, you understand how generations of artisans have established this area as a world producer and supplier of ceramic products.
Vlaic Adrian (10 months ago)
It is an old castle full of history,stories and wonderful views. You can visit freely and walk around as you wish spending as much time as you like admiring the old walls and the pleasant Spanish landscapes. And there's also colourful pigeons you can see flying around a wonderful little surprise.
Florin Cirlomaneanu (19 months ago)
I was walking through Onda, and saw this castle on top of the hill. Decided to get there and have a look around. Didn’t regret it!!! Recommend 100%! Easy to get there by foot or car. They have car parks on the way to castle. The entrance is free and the staff is pretty lovely! They have information boards in Spanish and English as well, which is pretty cool ( for me who I don’t understand Spanish very well). The view is amazing from the top, you can spend 30-40 minutes, it is relaxing.
Dora Hoffer (20 months ago)
Onda Castle, known as the" Castillo de las 300 Torres", literally meaning the Castle with 300 towers!?????️?????????‍♂️?? #castillodeonda #onda #magicalplaces panorama! The fortress was built in the 10th century, but it has been discovered that in the 11th century a palace was added to the structure, a real rarity.??? They've had bedrooms built, baths & pools on the top, medieval herb garden, fully equipped for comfort life, back in 11th century, unreal!!!?? Absolutely phenomenal place inside Spanish mountains but just 25 min drive from the sea! We've had a picknick at the park that's right after the entrance with tables, benches and breathtaking view to the ancient village and Calvary, hills!?️? Also, we've hit the annual Castillo Onda Bicycle Race lol with millions of cyclists racing and then was a big fiesta at the end!! ? ??????? About sunset ? we've reached the Calvary de San Catherine and San Francisco de Asissi, uphill stairs and silent nature around, from 14th century, magical energy surrounding and view to the Castle! "A number of different civilisations inhabited the castle over the centuries. Nowadays, within its walls you can visit Museo de Historia Local, the local history museum, and gaze at a valuable collection of Muslim yesería. You can also see Cueva del Algepsar, another museum that tells the story of what life was like in Onda during the Spanish Civil War."
Eivissa Love (21 months ago)
Easy arrival, plenty of parking (on a Monday in February I must say). Free entrance. Clean and tidy site. Friendly staff, greeted us at our arrival and informed us where are toilets and other areas. Easy to walk with kids and elderly people. Amazing 360 degrees views of mountains, until the Mediterranean Sea. Few but informative signed and descriptions. There is a part with picnic table and benches to have a break after long walk, under the pine trees. The castle ruins give a good impression of what it used to be and you can imagine the fortress what it was at its time. Very impressive, even only a few walls left. You need some imagination. We enjoyed out little 20-30 minutes stay and walk up there.
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