3. Introduction:
During the Middle Ages, the castle not only fulfilled
military functions, it also served as residence for the
nobles and the kings themselves, ending in an
authentic fortified palace. It could be located in the
urban centers although they were normally located in
strategic places, high points and near a water course for
its supply, from where the defense itself could be
organized and that of the villages that depended on it.
From the 16th century, with the fall of feudalism and
the consolidation of the absolutist monarchies, the
nobility that owned the castles left them in exchange
for palatial mansions in court. For this reason, and
because they were obsolete in their military function,
the castles lost all interest and declined until the
current ruin of most of them.
4. Tower of homage:
It was the main tower in which the
king or lord resided. I was protected
from possible attacks. It did not
have windows or doors in the low
zones, to prevent the entrance to
the enemies and to support the
invasions. It was the safest area
of the castle.
Chemin de ronde:
Narrow corridor at the top of a wall
from where the castle guard was
watching. The sentries that
patrolled the adarve could see,
from there, what happened many
kilometers away.
Saetera:
It was a long and narrow opening in
a wall or tower, to shoot through it.
5. Rastrillo:
Iron gate located in the
barbican and topped at
the bottom, which
defended the entrance of
the castle.
Moat:
Deep ditch or water-filled
canal that surrounded the
entire castle. Its function
was to prevent the
attacking armies from
climbing the walls.
Barbican:
A structure at the top of a
tower or door used for
defending.
Drawbridge:
It stretched over the
water pit and could rise
or fall at will.
