The Castle Santa Olalla del Cala

the west elevation of castle

the castle stands on prominent rocky ridge above village. fortress, although ramparts reminiscent of moorish castles, built christian king of castile, sancho iv in thirteenth century replacing smaller fortress had been built earlier muslim rulers of andalucía. muslim structure thought have been built on top roman fortification. castle part of defence system built protect city of seville portuguese. defence system called banda gallega or galician band. system composed of 3 lines of defence, utilized older moorish fortresses. first line contained castles of aroche, encinasola , fregenal de la sierra. in second line torre of san bartolomé , cortegana castle. third line included santa olalla del cala , fortress @ aracena.

construction

the castle constructed stone masonry , brickwork. curtain walls have ten towers in total. 4 of towers circular , other 6 rectangular in shape. towers constructed of solid stone , rise height of parapet @ there vaulted chamber. topped battlements of have pyramidal , brick cube castellation. inner precinct of irregular coffin shape , follows plan of ridge top of hill. on north west elevation there entrance tower turned 90° main curtain wall of fortress.

later years

following castle’s decline fortress other uses found stronghold. in 19th century , 20th century castle precinct , curtain walls used municipal cemetery. walls pierced form burial niches. had detrimental effect on castle, considerably weakening structure. in 1949 castle declared site of cultural interest , measures taken preserve site.