Moorish Castle
| The Moorish Castle | |
|---|---|
| Part ofFortifications of Gibraltar | |
| Extends from theGibraltar Nature ReservetoGrand Casemates SquareinGibraltar | |
 The Moorish Castle's Tower of Homage in Gibraltar flying theUnion flag. | |
| |
  The Moorish Castle | |
| Coordinates | 36°08′38″N5°20′59″W/ 36.143882°N 5.349857°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Height | Approx. 100 metres (330 ft) |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Government of Gibraltar |
| Controlled by | Moors:711–1309 Castilians:1309—1333 Moors:1333–1462 Castilians:1462–1704 Habsburgs:1704–1713 British:1713–present |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Condition | Partially ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | c. 711 |
| In use | c. 711–1945 |
The Moorish Castleis the name given to amedieval fortificationinGibraltarcomprising various buildings, gates, and fortified walls, with the dominant features being the Tower of Homage and the Gate House. Part of the castle itself also housedthe prisonof Gibraltar until it was relocated in 2010.[1]The Tower of Homage is clearly visible to all visitors to Gibraltar; not only because of its striking construction, but also because of its dominant and strategic position. Although sometimes compared to the nearbyalcazarsinSpain,the Moorish Castle in Gibraltar was constructed by theMarinid dynasty,making it unique in theIberian Peninsula.[2]
History
[edit]
Gibraltar has always been of special significance to the numerous peoples and civilizations that have visited or occupied it over the ages, from theNeanderthalperiod, through the Classical and on toMoorish,Spanish,and the currentBritishrule.
The Moorish occupation is by far the longest in Gibraltar's recorded history, having lasted from 711 to 1309 and then again from 1333 to 1462, a total of 727 years.[3]
The Moorish conquest ofIberiawas led byTarik ibn ZiyadandMusa ibn Nusayr,who may have landed in Europe at or near Gibraltar. Gibraltar thus became the stepping-stone to the Moorish conquests of most of Iberia and part of France. This spectacular feat of arms took a mere twenty-one years, no mean task considering the distances and terrain involved, and the fact that mechanical transport on land was not then in use.[4]The strategic importance of Gibraltar rose in the last years of the Moorish rule, when, after the successful Spanish reconquest of the entire Guadalquivir valley, Gibraltar became one of the key elements in communication between theEmirate of Granadaand Moorish domains in northwestern Africa.
Construction of the Moorish Castle commenced in the 8th century AD (possibly AD 711);[dubious–discuss]the date of its completion is not recorded. Its walls enclosed a considerable area, reaching down from the upper part of theRock of Gibraltarto the sea. The most conspicuous remaining parts of the Castle are the upper tower, or Tower of Homage, together with various terraces and battlements below it, and the massive Gate House, with its cupola roof.[5]
The Tower of Homage
[edit]The Tower of Homage is the highest tower of the period of Islamic rule in theIberian Peninsula,and theQasbahof the Castle is the largest in the area. The Castle itself played a prominent part in the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, with Muslim forces overrunning a large portion of it in two years - an invasion which led to Islamic domination of parts of western Europe for more than seven centuries. It is therefore of historic significance not only forGibraltarandIberia,but also for all of westernEurope.
The present Tower of Homage, and most of what is visible today of the Castle, was rebuilt during the second Moorish period of occupation in the early 14th century, after its near destruction during a reconquest of Gibraltar by the Moors following a re-occupation by Spanish forces from 1309 to 1333.[5]
Present day
[edit]Today the Moorish Castle is one of the major tourist attractions of Gibraltar, and it is shown on the reverse of the 1995 design (still in circulation) of theGibraltar five-pound banknote.[6]
The name "Moorish Castle" (or "El Castillo"in Spanish) is also used locally when referring to the residential area surrounding the Castle, location of theMoorish Castle Estate.
Part of the castle itself housedthe prisonof Gibraltar until the prison was relocated in 2010.[1]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^abMascarenhas, Alice (1 September 2010)."GATES CLOSE, 'WINDY' PRISON OPENS FOR BUSINESS".The Gibraltar Chronicle.Archived fromthe originalon 12 March 2012.Retrieved1 September2010.
- ^"The Heritage of Gibralter: A Reply".CAM Bulletins.Commonwealth Association of Museums. May 1998. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2012.Retrieved10 September2012.
- ^"Moorish Castle".Guide to the Castles of Europe.Retrieved13 September2012.
- ^"Information on the Moorish Castle Complex".Government of Gibraltar.Retrieved13 February2007.
- ^ab"Gibraltar Heritage Trust History of The Moorish Castle".Archived fromthe originalon 6 February 2007.Retrieved13 February2007.
- ^"World Paper Money - Image of the reverse of a 1995 £5 Gibraltar banknote"(JPEG).Will's Online World Paper Money Gallery.Retrieved13 September2012.
