What the Sand Castle is famous for: An impregnable fortress that looks like a toy

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

When you look at the photo, you get the impression that this is a sand castle. However, in fact, this is a real building and it is brick. Moreover, this building was once considered one of the most powerful castles in Spain. Now it is included in the top of the most beautiful castles in the world. Castillo de Coca (Coca Castle) is unique both for its original architecture and rich history.

Located near Segovia, the castle was built in the 15th century on the initiative of the owner of these lands, the Archbishop of Sevilla Alonso, as his residence. It was a defensive structure that protected the city of Koka from invaders.

Viewed from above, the building is rectangular, plus it is surrounded by a moat. The castle was built of white bricks, the masonry is very skillful and forms ornaments due to the fact that the bricks are laid out at different angles.

The architecture traces the features of Arab architecture; in general, this style is called Mudejar. It was widely used by both Muslims and Christians several centuries ago and was quite common in Spain. Mudejar is a symbiosis of Gothic, Moorish and Renaissance architecture.

Semicircular bastions-towers with semi-columns and numerous loopholes on the walls also give the Castillo de Coca a toy, "sandy" look.

The best architects were involved in the project, and it took two decades to build the building. In 1504, Coca Castle passed into the possession of Captain Antonio Fonseca, who further strengthened it.

There is historical evidence that in the 17th century Duke Gaspar Alonso Perez de Guzman was imprisoned here, locked in a castle after a failed attempt to proclaim himself king of Spain and ascend the throne.

Interestingly, according to the decree of Queen Isabella of Castile, approved in 1503, the city of Coca, together with the castle, could be inherited only through the male line, while women could not own it.

The fact that with all the beauty and grace that gave the building external fragility, this castle was very strong and one of the most powerful defensive structures in these parts is simply amazing. But it really is. Loopholes for archers, embrasures for artillery, the deepest moat and many secret passages made it almost impregnable.

In 1808, the castle was nevertheless conquered: the small garrison in it (only a quarter of a hundred people) was forced to give it to the large army of Napoleon. The residents had to flee. The French lived in the castle for four years and at the same time treated this architectural masterpiece very dismissively, subjecting it to partial destruction. The state of Castillo de Coca after the "invasion" of aliens turned out to be so deplorable that later it took more than two hundred years to give it its former appearance. Since the last century, the Alba dynasty handed over the building to the state on the condition that it be completely restored.

Not only brick ornaments are interesting in the castle, but also ceramics made in the spirit of the Renaissance. And the Hall of Fish located inside one of the towers amazes with many images of these aquatic inhabitants. Also inside the castle there are now expositions (medieval weapons, archaeological finds, and so on).

In addition, there is the Jug Hall, which has excellent acoustics, and (as in any castle) a dungeon intended for keeping prisoners.

Since the late 1950s, a forestry school has been located here. It is also open to sightseers.

And so today looks like the castle where Count Dracula lived.