GUADALEST CASTLE
Costa Blanca, Spain
Strictly speaking, Guadalest Castle is two Castles – The Castle of St. José and the Alcozaba Castle, although the two merge seamlessly into one whole.
Guadalest Castle was first built by the Moors during the 12th Century. Even after the Reconquest in the 13th Century, the town still had a very large Muslim population and it continued to be occupied by Moors until long after the re-establishment of Christian rule in Spain.
King Jaime II gave the castle to Barndardo de Sarrià in 1293 and they owned the castle and town for 42 years, during which time the castle was extended to more or less the size it is today. In 1335 the castle reverted to the Crown but was immediately sold to the Aragonese Royal family who owned it until 1699 when the last Cordona Marquis of Guadalest died.
By this time the Moors had been expelled from Spain and Guadalest was largely abandoned. An earthquake in July 1644 sealed the town and castles fate and a second that December did further damage.
During the Cordona period of power a local family, the Orduñas, were rising to prominence and they took over Mayorship of Guadalest in 1699. They were ennobled in 1756.
During the War of the Spanish Succession in 1708 the Castle was bombed and most of its western wall was destroyed. Further earthquakes damaged the castle in 1748 and 1752. The last of the Orduña family died in 1934 and just over ten years later the Castle came under the protection of the Spanish Government.
Today Guadalest is a hugely popular tourist draw. It’s proximity to Benidorm and the Costa Blanca has made it a frequent stop on coach tours, although it is today more museum than town there is nothing that can take away the amazing setting, even if there isn’t much left of the castle to see.
© Text copyright - Raving Loony
Productions and Andrew J. Müller
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Jacqui Harris
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2018
