Moclín Castle was built in the mid-13th century to help defend the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. It is also known as the Hins Al-Muqlin, (literally the fortress of the two pupils). It was built to mark the frontier between the kingdoms of Granada and Castile. The Castillo de Moclín was continuously besieged during the Hispano-Moorish settlement, falling into the hands of the Catholic Kings in 1486.
The castle is divided into two distinct parts. The first part is defined by the outer walls, which are at their thinnest towards the west and the south, getting lower as they get nearer Tajos de la Hoz. At some points it is the rock not the wall that is used to defend. The entrance to the castle is typical of its time – an entrance gate with a pointed arc, connected to a corridor, running from west to east. Within this first part the “albacar” is also located, interior space between the alcazaba and the outer wall.
The second area of the castle, the alcazaba, can be reached along the Camino Real (the Royal Road) that still exists today. You enter this part of the castle through a more simply decorated gateway, also typical of the time. Here, the Torre de Homenaje tower stands out higher than the others. It is located in the north-eastern part of the enclosure, with views over Alcala La Real. Within the alcazaba, in the upper part, there is also an interesting and very large water cistern, which played an important role during the siege of the castle.
References:The Walls of Constantinople are a series of defensive stone walls that have surrounded and protected the city of Constantinople (today Istanbul) since its founding as the new capital of the Roman Empire by Constantine the Great. With numerous additions and modifications during their history, they were the last great fortification system of antiquity, and one of the most complex and elaborate systems ever built. They were also the largest and strongest fortification in both the ancient and medieval world.
Initially built by Constantine the Great, the walls surrounded the new city on all sides, protecting it against attack from both sea and land. As the city grew, the famous double line of the Theodosian Walls was built in the 5th century. Although the other sections of the walls were less elaborate, they were, when well-manned, almost impregnable for any medieval besieger.