Suda Castle, historic fortification of Tortosa

Description

Castle Suda, aka Suda in Tortosa, one of the main historical monuments of the city of Tortosa.

One of the names most often cited in the history of ancient Tortosa is the Suda, is of Arabic origin that means the same castle or fortress. The current castle dates back to the first settlers in Tortosa, and there are detached houses are part of the city that was built first, backed by the strength that serves rear.


Explanation

Since the beginning of the eighth century, and until 1148, Tortosa was under Moorish rule. At this time the city was a strategic location from which controlled communications to the northern territories and dominated the waterway that allowed access to the hinterland. Northernmost end of Al-Andalus and the center of one of most active Taifa, the city was very important from the points of view within the economic and cultural fabric of kingdoms that emerged from the crisis of the Caliphate of Córdoba.

On the way to the castle, cathedral built outside the walls of the Zuda Street, there is a copy of the foundation stone of the shipyard of the tenth century, built in the time of Abd al-Rahman III, great promoter of public works. The original piece, sculpted by Abd allah b. Kulayd in florida Kufic own Caliphate period, is currently held at Headquarters. The walk down the street of San Felipe Neri and Capellan coast leads to the Alcazaba fortified after leaving the building to the right of the Royal Colleges of Sant Jaume and Sant Maties, founded in the sixteenth century for indoctrination of the Moors or new Christians. When saving a steep slope, across the stretches of wall of the courtyard, one enters inside the Suda Castle or San Juan. The impressive fortress overlooking Tortosa and the Ebro River valley and lookout lower Ebro

The fort was built in the tenth century, in the time of Abd al-Rahman III in the ancient Roman acropolis. Islamic period are the basis and the layout of the walls. Retaken by Count Ramon Berenguer IV (December 1148), the castle became the residence of Montcada and the Templars. After the Christian conquest or occupation, became a prison, and since the time of James I, was used as a royal residence. Building strong modifications suffer from XV century, due to new military requirements of defense: battlements disappear are replaced by the pockets. The building currently houses the Parador Castillo de la Suda, excellent views of the city.

Upon reaching the top, left, before entering the courtyard, there is an old Arab necropolis (X-XII centuries), the only open preserved in Catalonia. Some of the tombs retains the original stucco. In the center of campus was built enormous well of large diameter and depth, which fed on the waters of the Ebro.

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