Zahara de los Atunes Castle

Zahara de los Atunes, Spain

The Castle of Zahara de los Atunes and Palace of Jadraza is a medieval castle on Spain's coast. In 1294, King Sancho IV of Castile granted a licence to Don Alonso Pérez de Guzmán to build traps for tuna fishing in reward for his heroic defense of Tarifa. Guzman fisheries in Zahara de los Atunes and Conil de la Frontera were for centuries the most productive in Europe provoking the development of important auxiliary buildings.

The Palace served three functions: as a fortified castle to protect against Barbary pirates, a residential palace during the Tuna Season and a processing plant to deal with the tuna. Its location at a strategic point of the Strait of Gibraltar has been given prominence in numerous historical events, and it maintains a continued presence in coastal mapping. In the twentieth century the building was used by the fishing industry before becoming a barracks.

Building is a square structure defined by four defensive walls with parapet surmounted with a narrow walkway. In the north-west corner is the so-called Torre de Poniente which has an inner chamber beneath a high domed roof also with a parapet. In the north-east are the remains of de la Torre de Levante. Both towers were designed as corbelled spaces to overlook the defensive curtain walls.

The main gateway is located in the west wall, the two sea gates are in the south, which originally also provided access to large patio inner enclosure of the building. In the twentieth century 'New Gate' was added in the north wall, where there are also various other piercings introduced for practical reasons as the use of the building developed over time.

The factory is made of regular masonry blocks with lime grout and pebbles. The corners boast reinforced stonework. The three original stone doors were of generous proportions with arches and keystones . At the sea gates, two separate buttresses of considerable thickness are arranged inward to reinforce them in their defensive mission.

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Details

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

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

M.Carmen Llobregat (2 years ago)
The exceptional place in the center, we were looking for something central just to sleep and we could not choose a better place. Both Lola and her partner are charming without forgetting Angustias (my personal guide?) And what about the breakfasts in the cafeteria below??? a delicacy and I must also point out the kindness. Without a doubt, next year we will be back there. An Asturian in love with ZAHARA
Carmen María Guadix Gamiz (2 years ago)
Clean, central place with a super nice staff and close and familiar treatment, a ten for them!
blck blck (2 years ago)
This hostal is really in the center of the Zahara de Los Atunes so going somewhere from there is very easy Lola was very kind and helpful for everything thank you again ? Our room was just in the corner and almost we can say in the street .. I mean with that much noise we felt like that There were so much noise until late evening like 2.00 am and was starting again at 6. 00 am ? Our room and bathroom was so small so we had to open suitcases on one of bed ? Bathroom was also the same and without fresh air Cleaning of the room was no so bad but either was not so good we can say so so And for me for two star hostal it is expensinve but i know when we talk about Zahara everywhere is more expensive? Just under the hostel there is one cafeteria that you can have your breakfast and quality was good as well … But many of the time it is very crowded Hostal is very close to beach and to the restaurants … You have plenty of options almost for everything around the Hostal
Amalia Medina (2 years ago)
Fantastic location. The best ... the staff! Wonderful treatment and sympathy. Thank you so much ?
Fran Caballero (3 years ago)
One of the worst hostels I have visited without a doubt and it was due to the room. If they offer you number 25, don't even think about accepting it. For 20 more euros you can opt for a much better one. The TV does not work. The room is tiny. The stone age bed. Noise from guests late in the morning No receptionist so no one controls the place. At 7 in the afternoon, the maintenance man comes to hammering and using the drill for more than an hour. Don't even think about coming to the Nightmare hostel.
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