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Castle of Elda

Elda, El Vinalopó Mitjà, Alicante

1 Villages · 3 Monuments · 2 Nature · 1 Activities · 1 Curiosities · 1 Historical milestones

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Castle of Elda

Monument · Elda, El Vinalopó Mitjà, Alicante

The castillo de Elda is a fortification built between the 12th and 13th centuries, a Bien de Interés Cultural (Spain's highest level of heritage protection) with the category of monument. Its origin goes back to 1172, when the Almohad defeat at Huete and the Christian advance led the taifa kingdom of Murcia to fortify strongholds along the Vinalopó; the alcázar was raised beside the river, on a hill, and was held by the Almohads until 1243. After the Christian conquest it went through a turbulent period of changing owners, largely retaining its Islamic structure; around 1308 the temple of Santa María could be built inside it, the first Christian place of worship of medieval Elda. In 1513 the count of Cocentaina sold Elda to Juan de Coloma, whose family turned the fortress into a county palace. It retains walls and ten towers.

Photo: user:JMPerez (Attribution)

What to see and do in Elda