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Castellar de la Frontera - Monuments |
THE FORTRESS
An extraordinarily well preserved fortress, which reached its greatest size during the Nazar dynasty, it has an irregular walled perimeter, flanked by towers whose purpose it was to defend its blind spots. In its time it was defended by a barbican: a double wall situated in front of the main walls to prevent attackers from storming the village.
Once inside the walls we enter into a rare example of an inhabited castle: the old fortified village of Castellar. The village is accessed via a gate in the main wall. In its time the gate was defended by a murder hole, an opening just above the gate through which boiling water and oil were thrown on the attackers.
Above the entrance gate we find the Alcázar (fortified palace), abode of the Castellar nobility.
PALACIO DEL MARQUÉS DE MOSCOSO
The Palacio del Marqués de Moscoso has various sections from different periods of history. It is located at the entrance to Castellar Viejo (Old Castellar).
IGLESIA DEL DIVINO SALVADOR
This church is situated in the old village of Castellar, very near to the Alcázar. It was built in the 17th Century but has undergone some restoration and expansion since then.
It sits on top of an old mosque; however there are no remains of the former Muslim place of worship. As well as being places for worship, the church and former mosque have served as cemeteries over the course of their history.
There is a passageway attached to the church known as Algorfa that links it with the Alcázar. Built in the 17th Century, its purpose was to allow the Castellar nobles to attend religious ceremonies without having to leave the mansion.
CONVENTO DE SAN MIGUEL DE LA ALMORAIMA
This former monastery was constructed in 1603 in order to provide shelter for the friars of the Orden de la Merced. The Mercedarios Descalzos (Barefooted Mercedarios) occupied the premises from its foundation until the mid-19th Century when it came under the control of the Duke of Medinaceli, who converted it into an estate used for hunting and recreation. In 1972 the Duke sold the property and some years later it became government-owned. It is now used as a hotel, from which visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds it and be in direct contact with nature.
The Convento de San Miguel de la Almoraima was built on top of an old chapel that was dedicated to the worship of the Nuestra Señora de los Reyes. Among its highlights are the cloister in the monastic building, the adjoining Neo-gothic tower on the east side and the church, which has three naves with stone crosses and is home to numerable baroque and Neo-gothic works of art. The Christ of Almoraima, a 16th Century piece which was venerated in one of its chapels, is now kept at the Iglesia Parroquial de Castellar Nuevo (Castellar Nuevo Parish Church).
PLAZA ANDALUCÍA
Located in the centre of the Pueblo Nuevo de Castellar (The New Village of Castellar), this square is an ideal place for a walk and to enjoy tranquil surroundings and gardens.
The modern Iglesia Divino Salvador (Church of the Divine Saviour) is found in the Plaza Andalucía. The Image of the Santísimo Cristo de La Almoraima is kept here, a 16th Century sculpture greatly venerated by believers from near and far.
There is also a large sculpture in the square that commemorates the 25th anniversary of the creation of the new village.
Close to this square there is another statue, dedicated to Human Rights.