Castles of Spain


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Spain has many small unique castles that have centuries of battle and seizing. Today, several are simply ruins, but still can tell a magnificent tale and are a wonder to view.



~*~ ~Madrid Royal Palace~ ~*~


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Alcazar was the first structure to stand on the land of the Madrid Royal Palace. That castle actually dated back to the 9th century. It stood on the glorious spot for centuries and was rebuilt by John the 2nd during the 14th century. After this reconstruction, it was fit for a king, literally, because it became the royal place of residency.

Long after, in the 16th century, Charles the 5th and Phillip the 2nd took control and reconstructed the "castle" and it soon became the Royal Palace of Madrid, Spain. In 1561, Alcazar yet again became a King's residence as Madrid grew in size around the estate. Later, Phillip the 4th constructed most of what is visible today. Sadly in 1734, one of the "best rooms", not actually positive which one, was destroyed in a fire of Christmas Eve. The "castle", Palace, is in excellent shape today and is still fit for a king.


~*~ ~Manzanares el Real~ ~*~


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On a very rocky landscape lies a castle that was owned by one of the "most powerful families in Castilla during the 14th and 15th centuries". Manzanares el Real is located in Castilla which is near Madrid. The castle brings a rich history to life with its tapestries, armor, and furniture from several different centuries and historical times. This castle is/was the last of its kind built in the country of Spain, which makes it especially important.

The Mendoza family, that really powerful family, actually only lived in the castle for a century. When one of the "main" members of the family passed, many arguments broke out over who should be able to operate, maintain, and simply, reside in the estate. These feuds brought a lot of damage to the architecture of the castle in 1565. Many, many years later (1914 to be exact), Vicente Lamperez Romera restored the castle to its original glory. Later, in 1931, the castle is put down as a Historical Art Monument. Today, it is owned and protected by "Direccion General de Turismo de la Consejeria de Economia y Empleo de la Comunidad de Madrid" and is in great shape.


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