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Castle of Oropesa (38)
Charo

(20798)

The castle of Oropesa rises on a hillock, in the so called Field of Arañuelo, placed in the locality of Oropesa, in the most western part of the province of Toledo, in the spurs of the Saw of Gredos. Very next to Oropesa one finds the dividing line with the nearby province of Cáceres.

The castle of Oropesa dates of the XIIth and XIIIth centuries, and it was constructed by the Arabs probably on a previous Roman construction. The first true notes on this castle belong to the reign of Alfonso X The Wise person, in the XIIIth century.

The town of Oropesa and his castle were transferred in the year 1355 to Don García Alvarez of Toledo, for having resigned from the mastership of Santiago in favor of a faithful follower of Enrique II. With it he acquired also the dominion of Oropesa and Valdecorneja, more five towns and seven villages that form the so-called Bell of Oropesa, co-owners today of extensive dehesones that come up to the river Guadiervas.

In the year 1402 there was constructed the new castle, which happened, with the county created in 1475, to the dukes of Cold. There was bought to these the Town hall, which used it as bullfighting enclosure. Later it was acquired by the State.

The so called castle of Oropesa is actually formed by two close castles, the old castle and the new castle.

The old castle was constructed by the Arabs between the XIIth and XIIIth centuries on a construction of Roman origin. His plant is rectangular and it has four circular towers in the corners, of which today only they remain two, and a probable antemuro with four cubillos that borders on the proper town.

The new, very airy castle emphasized by his situation to the north of the plateau that the population occupies, was constructed about the year 1402. His plant is also rectangular and it possesses towers of different form in his angles, constructed partly with chairs. In his interior there is a big square to which one gains access for his only door protected by the principal tower. From the square this one is raised by a wide staggered ramp that also leads to the whole adarve and to the remaining towers. The staircase of the castle of Oropesa is one of the most impressive of the Spanish castles.

The tower of the Homage is the element most emphasized from this architectural set. His plant is squared, it is extremely high, 25 meters, it possesses five plants and it is finished off by four garitones defensive with saeteras cruciform, and by battlements in those who open to themselves small hollows for weapon of different classes. Under the battlements there is a band of matacanes who supports his weight.

The Court of Weapon consists of a big rectangle that lodges all the infrastructures of the fortitude and where at present cultural activities develop.

Also the wall and other towers are interesting, especially that of the northeast, of square and massive form in the low part, with a court squared in the high flat and a stairs for the platform. Nearby the pit and the drawbridge were.

Two WS with other captures.

Altered Image #3