Aquis Querquennis

Ourense, Spain

Aquis Querquennis is the ruins of a Roman military camp sit along a flooded section of a river. The construction of the barracks dates back to the reign of Vespasian, around the year 75, when it was likely used as a base from which to defend newly built roads connecting other, larger roads in this remote province.

The walls, arches and moat that form the foundations of this former Roman military camp can sometimes be found half submerged in the reservoir, depending on the amount of rain upriver and the status of the dam. 

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Address

Unnamed Road, Ourense, Spain
See all sites in Ourense

Details

Founded: c. 75 AD
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Spain

More Information

www.atlasobscura.com

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Ourense Cathedral (41,5 km)
Ourense Provincial Archaeological Museum (41,4 km)
St. Mary's Church (41,4 km)
Ribadavia Castle (37,3 km)
San Esteban Monastery (55 km)
Monastery of San Salvador de Celanova (19,9 km)
Lindoso Castle (21,6 km)
Convent of San Francisco (41,6 km)
Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil (57 km)

User Reviews

João Francisco Ferreira de Almeida (2 years ago)
If you are interested in Roman culture you will enjoy this place.
Paulo Casaca (2 years ago)
The ruins are in between a beautiful oak tree forest and the lake made by a dam onriver Lima
Justin Stevens (2 years ago)
It is very regrettable that a dam was built nearby, causing frequent submersion of this archeological site. Nonetheless it is a testament to history, both past and present, a gem of this region of Spain.
Filipa Morgado (2 years ago)
Amazing and relaxing place! (Still in progress)
Ryan Dickerson (3 years ago)
Excellent place for a day trip or overnight campervan stop. Hot pools from warm to hot, suitable for everyone. Access is a bit tough but wheelchairs can access the site. No toilets or changing facilities. Parking good but a bit chaotic when busy. Access road is steep and quite narrow. Lovely walls around the lake to Roman ruins and visitor centre.
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Lorca Castle

Castle of Lorca (Castillo de Lorca) is a fortress of medieval origin constructed between the 9th and 15th centuries. It consists of a series of defensive structures that, during the Middle Ages, made the town and the fortress an impregnable point in the southeast part of the Iberian Peninsula. Lorca Castle was a key strategic point of contention between Christians and Muslims during the Reconquista.

Archaeological excavations have revealed that the site of the castle has been inhabited since Neolithic times.

Muslim Era

It has not been determined exactly when a castle or fortress was first built on the hill. The first written documentation referring to a castle at Lorca is of Muslim origin, which in the 9th century, indicates that the city of Lurqa was an important town in the area ruled by Theudimer (Tudmir). During Muslim rule, Lorca Castle was an impregnable fortress and its interior was divided into two sections by the Espaldón Wall. In the western part, there was an area used to protect livestock and grain in times of danger. The eastern part had a neighbourhood called the barrio de Alcalá.

After Reconquista

Lorca was conquered by the Castilian Infante Don Alfonso, the future Alfonso X, in 1244, and the fortress became a key defensive point against the Kingdom of Granada. For 250 years, Lorca Castle was a watchpoint on the border between the Christian kingdom of Murcia and the Muslim state of Granada.

Alfonso X ordered the construction of the towers known as the Alfonsina and Espolón Towers, and strengthened and fixed the walls. Hardly a trace of the Muslim fortress remained due to this reconstruction. Muslim traces remain in the foundation stones and the wall known as the muro del Espaldón.

The Jewish Quarter was found within the alcazaba, the Moorish fortification, separated from the rest of the city by its walls. The physical separation had the purpose of protecting the Jewish people in the town from harm, but also had the result of keeping Christians and Jews separate, with the Christians inhabiting the lower part of town.

The remains of the Jewish Quarter extended over an area of 5,700 square m, and 12 homes and a synagogue have been found; the synagogue dates from the 14th century and is the only one found in the Murcia. The streets of the town had an irregular layout, adapted to the landscape, and is divided into four terraces. The synagogue was in the central location, and around it were the homes. The homes were of rectangular shape, with various compartmentalized rooms. The living quarters were elevated and a common feature was benches attached to the walls, kitchens, stand for earthenware jars, or cupboards.

Modern history

With the disappearance of the frontier after the conquest of Granada in 1492, Lorca Castle no longer became as important as before. With the expulsion of the Jews by order of Ferdinand and Isabella, Lorca Castle was also depopulated as a result. The castle was abandoned completely, and was almost a complete ruin by the 18th century. In the 19th century, the castle was refurbished due to the War of Spanish Independence. The walls and structures were repaired or modified and its medieval look changed. A battery of cannons was installed, for example, during this time. In 1931 Lorca Castle was declared a National Historic Monument.

Currently, a parador (luxury hotel) has been built within the castle. As a result, archaeological discoveries have been found, including the Jewish Quarter.

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