Orce Castle, Orce, Spain - SpottingHistory.com

Alcazaba de las Siete Torres ('the castle of seven towers') was built at the beginning of the 11th century, coinciding with the dismemberment of the Caliphate of Córdoba.

Address

Calle Castillo 1, Orce, Spain

See all sites in Orce

Details

Founded: 11th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Vélez-Blanco Castle (33,7 km)

User Reviews

Gran Vida Escuela de Cocina Macrobiotica (10 months ago)
Es un lugar espectacular por dentro y por fuera. Es una pasada los conciertos y el cine que aveces celebran. Lo recomido

Juan Bautista López (10 months ago)
Muy bien conservado

JOSE M SANCHEZ (11 months ago)
Es una Alcazaba totalmente reconstruida, su entrada es gratuita y hay un museo de arte en el Interior de una torre. Es más bonita por fuera que por dentro

felisa martinez sanchez (12 months ago)
En orce granada

Iain Macdonald (3 years ago)
Impressive and imposing castle in the center of the village and a fabulous backdrop for photographing on location. Well worth a visit as part of your historical tour of the village and a venue for events throughout the year.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Dennis Schäffer

Historic Site of the week

Externsteine Stones

The Externsteine (Extern stones) is a distinctive sandstone rock formation located in the Teutoburg Forest, near the town of Horn-Bad Meinberg. The formation is a tor consisting of several tall, narrow columns of rock which rise abruptly from the surrounding wooded hills. Archaeological excavations have yielded some Upper Paleolithic stone tools dating to about 10,700 BC from 9,600 BC.

In a popular tradition going back to an idea proposed to Hermann Hamelmann in 1564, the Externsteine are identified as a sacred site of the pagan Saxons, and the location of the Irminsul (sacral pillar-like object in German paganism) idol reportedly destroyed by Charlemagne; there is however no archaeological evidence that would confirm the site's use during the relevant period.

The stones were used as the site of a hermitage in the Middle Ages, and by at least the high medieval period were the site of a Christian chapel. The Externsteine relief is a medieval depiction of the Descent from the Cross. It remains controversial whether the site was already used for Christian worship in the 8th to early 10th centuries.

The Externsteine gained prominence when Völkisch and nationalistic scholars took an interest in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This interest peaked under the Nazi regime, when the Externsteine became a focus of nazi propaganda. Today, they remain a popular tourist destination and also continue to attract Neo-Pagans and Neo-Nazis.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Looks like you are a history fan!

Do you know an ancient castle or hidden ruins near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory. It's absolutely free, easy, and you can do it even without registration (of course you an also create an free account)!

Orce Castle