Luna Castle

Rota, Spain

Luna castle dates from the 13th century and was built under control of 'Guzmán the Good' upon a fortified convent of ribat or Muslim origin, in the 11th century. It is rectangular with five crenelated towers, and its interior is structured around a central courtyard.

Property of the Dukes of Arcos, the Ponce de León used the castle as a residence and there is evidence that the Catholic Monarchs visited the city and stayed there.

The Luna Castle is a symbol in itself for citizens of Rota, Cadiz, and proof of this is its presence on the coat of arms of the village. It has housed a hospital and a school, and is currently the location of the City Hall of Rota.

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Address

Calle Cuna 4, Rota, Spain
See all sites in Rota

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

More Information

www.andalucia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Cádiz Cathedral (11,3 km)
Roman Theatre (11,4 km)
Jerez de la Frontera Cathedral (20,7 km)
Alcazar of Jerez de la Frontera (20,7 km)
Torre Tavira (10,9 km)
Santa Catalina Fortress (10,4 km)
Museum of Cádiz (10,7 km)
Puertas de Tierra (11,9 km)
San Dionisio Church (21 km)

User Reviews

natalie stoch (4 years ago)
Great experience, love this place!
J S (4 years ago)
There is a lot of history here. This castle has been built and rebuilt but has a wonderful history with Portugal, Spain, the Moors, etc.. Supposedly, The Columbus Expedition started here. The Castle fell into disrepair for many years and then the city repaired it and now city hall is here. It is charming and the views are amazing.
arfina arief (4 years ago)
small castil but its beautiful
Maria Gabriela Nieto Henriquez (4 years ago)
Nice place to visit! A place with a lot of history
Regional Chapple (5 years ago)
Love the area! Wonderful food, kind people and the best beaches I have ever seen!
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Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Migthy Cathar Castles
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Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.

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