Spain boasts magnificent medieval cities, old settlements, and majestic castles, which take us back to the first years of the last millennium. Many of these structures were the perfect scenario for chivalric novels, such as the classic “Don Quijote de la Mancha,” where brave cavaliers defended the fortress, the town, and the kingdom from external and hostile forces.
One of the most recent structures used to defend the antique city is the Fuerte de Galeras or Castle of Galeras. This three-century arsenal house played an important role in both the Peninsular War and the Cantonal Revolution.
Let’s have fun and immerse ourselves in the crucial aspects of this eclectic building, which, until today, watches the coastline of Cartagena, Spain.
Table of Contents:
- Castle of Galeras | Discover this Emblematic Fortress in Cartagena
- What Is the Castle of Galeras?
- Castle of Galeras Location
- A Bastion to Watch the Cartagena Bay
- Enjoy Your Private Paradise in Villa Murcia!
What Is the Castle of Galeras?
The castle of Galeras, El Castillo de Galeras or Fuerte de Caleras (Galeras Fort), is a fortification of essential military importance located in the surroundings of the city of Cartagena, Spain. The Galeras Fort is a relatively new structure with no more than three hundred years of history, which is weird in an ecosystem full of ancient castles.
The Castle of Galeras stands atop a hill overlooking the bay of Cartagena, offering sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea and the surrounding landscapes. Situated at an elevation of 219 meters, its primary role was to guard the Military Arsenal of Cartagena. Originally, the fort was intended to be part of the city’s defensive walls.
Castle of Galeras Location
The Castillo of Galeras is located on a mountain between the Atalaya Fort to the north and the Fajardo Battery to the south, one kilometer away from the center of Cartagena, Murcia. It has a well-thought-out location to defend the city from marine attacks and enemies at a distance. Besides, you can admire the castle practically from every point of the city and even more from the opposite side of the bay.
How to Get to the Castle of Galeras
The Galeras Fort is easily accessible, located just a few hundred meters from the center of Cartagena. While it’s possible to reach the structure on foot with a one-kilometer walk, driving from the city center is a more convenient option.
Unfortunately, the fort is currently closed to visitors due to its condition. However, there is hope that, in the near future, restoration efforts will make the fortress accessible once again, allowing visitors to explore its history and learn more about the heritage of the city and the region.
Castle of Galeras Architecture
The Castle of Galeras, being a relatively recent construction from the 18th century, features an eclectic Neoclassical design, reflecting the international style of the time in both arts and architecture. Its design emphasizes robust, Roman-style columns as a key element of the structure. The building adheres to the principles of the French-influenced Spanish School, which was prominent during that era.
The castle has a rectangular plan with five bastions, each forming a star of five spikes. It also has a well and a drawbridge, which further ensures the integrity of the construction.
The fortress also has a big patio to separate the walls from the dependencies and halls. Besides, the wall of the south edge is reinforced to resist even more attacks by vessels from the sea.
The Castle of Galerar also has an impressive wall that, for over five kilometers, protects all the area of the arsenal housing, which gives the site the classification of a citadel.
Castle of Galeras History
The Galeras Fort has been laid in the mountain since the 18th century, although plans to create the fortification in the mountain date back to the 16th century. It was designed and built by Croatian military engineer Mateo Wodopich between the mid-18th and 1777, who adopted the language of international palates and castles to build the fortress.
This quadrangular fort has participated in several battles and wars, including the Peninsular War between 1808 and 1814 and the Cantonal Revolution in 1873-74.
The Cantonals called it Vanguard Castle and also named it “Captain of all castles.” In 1873, a cannon shot from this castle proclaimed the Cantonal Movement for the revolution. The castle had cannons and other arsenals until 1895.
However, in the 20th century, the Galeras Castle gradually lost its military and positioning importance but still served as a military prison.
A Bastion to Watch the Cartagena Bay
The Castle of Galeras, or Fortress of Galeras, is undoubtedly a site of national and cultural interest that you should visit if you’re in the antique city of Cartagena or you’re experiencing the warm beaches of the Murcia coastline.
The stronghold is easily accessible. It is one kilometer from the center of Cartagena, at the top of a hill 219 meters above sea level.
Although the castle is no longer visitable, you can still admire it from a distance, check its relevance to the city’s area, and imagine how it contributed to defending Cartagena and its citizens from brutal enemies.
This castle is another reason to visit the area, the city, Murcia, and the south of Spain. It is a magical place surrounded by relaxing beaches, great cultural events, and castles everywhere.
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