Matrera Castle

Villamartín, Spain

Matrera Castle was built in the 9th century by Omar ibn Hafsún to defend Iptuci, the most advanced city of the Cora de Ronda. However, Mount Pajarete was a place of human settlement since Antiquity.

In the 13th century, it was conquered by San Fernando, who rebuilt it. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the XIV century, it returned to Muslim hands, being definitively reconquered by Alfonso XI in 1341. However, being located in the middle of the Moorish Border or Band was besieged by the Muslims of Granada in 1408 and in 1445.

By 2010, only a few walls of the castle remained standing, and the ruins were further damaged by rain in 2013. A restoration project was launched in 2010 and completed in 2015. Parts of the tower were rebuilt with lime plaster similar to samples found on the site, with large, plain blocks defining the original shape of the castle.

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Villamartín, Spain
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Details

Founded: 9th century AD
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.1/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

adolfodehere (2 years ago)
Easy path without difficulty, beautiful views and at the end the remains of the restored defensive tower....interesting for its history but also for its views, its flora and fauna....
Antonio Sánchez (4 years ago)
The climb to do it on foot or by bicycle. You can go up by car, but if it is not an off-road vehicle, things get complicated. The castle itself is very neglected and you can see that the maintenance is zero. Apparently, the ranchers in the area are taking advantage of it as a refuge for cows and goats. The neglect it denotes is a shame, the views are spectacular.
Ivan Martinez (4 years ago)
You have to go up on foot or by bike, several gates along the way that you have to close again when you pass since there are cattle (no bravo). Very good views from above. The effort is worth it.
ClÁsico (5 years ago)
If you want to know more, continue reading: Although Mount Pajarete has been a place of human settlement since ancient times, the medieval fortress was built in the 9th century by Omar ibn Hafsun to defend Iptuci, the most advanced city in the Cora de Ronda. In the 13th century it was conquered by San Fernando, who rebuilt it. However, at the beginning of the 14th century it returned to Nasrid hands, being definitively taken by Alfonso XI in 1341. Being located in the middle of the Border or Moorish Band, it was besieged by the Granada Muslims in 1408 and 1445. The Castillo de Matrera is located in the Sierra de Pajarete, 523 meters above sea level, on the road from Villamartín to Prado del Rey. It is located on a small esplanade at the top of a hill. It is of Andalusian origin and was ordered to be built by Omar Ben Hafsun at the end of the 9th century to defend the city of Iptuci, on the border of the Cora de Ronda. The enclosure is divided into two different areas, the main or Homage Tower, defended by a walled enclosure and the Patio de Armas also surrounded by walls and with two doors the Puerta de los Carros and the Puerta del Sol. El Albácar or Patio de Armas is large and elliptical. The walled enclosure exceeded 500 meters and consisted of numerous towers, now disappeared. The castle consisted of a large walled enclosure with a perimeter of more than 500 meters, which surrounded the parade ground, which is accessed from the Puerta del Sol to the east and the Puerta de los Carros to the west, both flanked by towers. Several of these are located along the wall canvas, highlighting the main tower in the north. This was of rectangular plant, of 15 x 10 meters, conserving three loopholes. It had a consolidation project, but in 2013 it was affected by a collapse of the north wall and two vaults as a result of heavy rains. A controversial intervention has recently been carried out there. The castle is privately owned, even though large helicopters belonging to the army have regularly landed and taken off. In 2013, a large part of the tower collapsed due to the scarce repair work of the structural problems detected decades ago. The subsequent preservation work in 2016 has proved highly controversial, receiving both criticism and an award in the "Preservation" category from the New York A + Architizer Awards. If you liked it, give it a Like, Thank you. source IAPH, and Monumental.net
Albertito Jaén (5 years ago)
All ok
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