Chirel Castle had an Muslim origin. The current castle was built after the Christian Conquest, which took place in the thirteenth century, when the Moors were expelled.
During this time, the fortress of Chirel was used by the Christians as a base of operations, under the command of the king of Aragon, James I the Conqueror, since they were at war with the Muslim leader al-Azraq.
Around the year 1748, a natural catastrophe occurred, an earthquake of great magnitude that ended up collapsing an important part of the fortress.
Today, Chirel Castle is on the waiting list to be rebuilt. In any case, it is an ideal place to visit, since, although they have not repaired their structures, they have done so with the roads that lead to the castle, so that it is a safe place, away from possible collapses, and a great tourist attraction.
If we go today to the Castle of Chirel, we will find an important part of its Main Tower, its double wall and two other large towers, and, also, a large cistern, which is still standing. In addition, you can contemplate the impressive view of the Cinto del Castillo annex, the Cintos de Sácaras annex and the Cerrador, and the Cortes reservoir.
References:The Jacques Cartier Manor House is the only existing property wich belonged to Cartier, the discoverer of Canada, in 1534. It’s a rare example of a great 16th century explorer’s home. Jacques Cartier opened up the North American continent to the French via the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The manor house has been restored and furnished to illustrate both the everyday life and the travels of its famous owner. From the kitchen with its red clay floor, to the explorer’s bedroom, this museum has lost none of its period charm.