History Lorca Castle

panoramic view of town , castle @ night

archaeological excavations have revealed site of castle has been inhabited since neolithic times. there archaeological excavations conducted between 1999 , 2011, in conjunction other excavations conducted in centre of town of lorca. excavations revealed existence of argaric town extended castle actual site of current town. excavations revealed funerary sites, homes, , wall.

it has not been determined when castle or fortress first built on hill. first written documentation referring castle @ lorca of muslim origin, in 9th century, indicates city of lurqa important town in area ruled theudimer (tudmir), ruled 7 cities in southeastern spain, mentioned in treaty of orihuela preserved andalusian historian ibn adarí in thirteenth century: orihuela, valentila (possibly equivalent valencia), alicante, mula, bigastro, eyya (probably ojós), , lorca.

during muslim rule, lorca castle impregnable fortress , interior divided 2 sections espaldón wall. in western part, there area used protect livestock , grain in times of danger. eastern part had neighbourhood called barrio de alcalá.

lorca conquered castilian infante don alfonso, future alfonso x, in 1244, , fortress became key defensive point against kingdom of granada. 250 years, lorca castle watchpoint on border between christian kingdom of murcia , muslim state of granada.

due geographic position, castilian monarchs repopulated town , maintained defensive structures of lorca.

alfonso x ordered:

...por saber que de poblar los alcaçares et la villa de lorca de christianos que yo gane de moros... et porque ayan mas et mas et otorgo todos los christianos vezinos et moradores en los alcaçares et en la villa de lorca [...] casas mayores hy pobladas con sus cuerpos [...] todas cosas pora siempre et jamas

alfonso x ordered construction of towers known alfonsina , espolón towers, , strengthened , fixed walls. hardly trace of muslim fortress remained due reconstruction. muslim traces remain in foundation stones , wall known muro del espaldón.

the neighbourhood of alcalá, @ base of castle, repopulated after reconquista , during construction of hotel, parador de nacional de turismo, remains of jewish quarter (judería) of lorca, of 14th-century origin, found.

the jewish quarter found within alcazaba, moorish fortification, separated rest of city walls. physical separation had purpose of protecting jewish people in town harm, had result of keeping christians , jews separate, christians inhabiting lower part of town.

fortaleza del sol.

the remains of jewish quarter extended on area of 5,700 square m, , 12 homes , synagogue have been found; synagogue dates 14th century , 1 found in murcia. streets of town had irregular layout, adapted landscape, , divided 4 terraces. synagogue in central location, , around homes. homes of rectangular shape, various compartmentalized rooms. living quarters elevated , common feature benches attached walls, kitchens, stand earthenware jars, or cupboards.

the angular stone found in archaeological excavation associated synagogue. found, partially excavated, in floor gain height in interior while on outside not exceeding in height rest of building. in manner, building adhered laws of period.

access synagogue available via patio in side there 2 corridors, , area women accessed via separate corridor. interior of synagogue conserves place torah kept, , examples of yeseria of gothic style. plinth bimah located has survived, , along perimeter of interior of temple benches male worshippers sit. women had separate area, known matroneum; in lorca s synagogue matroneum located above vestibule.

with disappearance of frontier after conquest of granada in 1492, lorca castle no longer became important before. expulsion of jews order of ferdinand , isabella, lorca castle depopulated result. castle abandoned completely, , complete ruin 18th century. in 19th century, castle refurbished due war of spanish independence. walls , structures repaired or modified , medieval changed. battery of cannons installed, example, during time. on june 4, 1931, lorca castle declared national historic monument , on march 5 historic centre of lorca including castle declared conjunto histórico-artístico (historic-artistic group).

the wall of castle , espolón tower damaged during 2011 lorca earthquake.