Of Arab origin, dating from before 1392. Situated on a strategic mound to the south of the town, the most emblematic building in Alanís has been a silent witness to the events of the town’s history since the end of the 16th century, when it is thought to have been built. It has a hexagonal floor plan, with a tower and barbican, which has now disappeared. Its walls, 2.3 m wide and 6.4 m high, left a single access to the enclosure on the north side, from where the village can be seen. It was attacked by the French during the Napoleonic occupation, who dynamited one of its walls, the southwest one, and the ruins are still preserved today.
Situated on a strategic mound to the south of the town, the most emblematic building in Alanís has been a silent witness to the events of the town’s history since the end of the 14th century, when it is thought to have been built.
It has a hexagonal floor plan, with a tower and barbican, which has now disappeared. Its walls are 2.3 metres wide and 6.5 metres high, leaving only one access to the enclosure on the north side, from where the village can be seen. It was attacked by the French during the Napoleonic occupation, who dynamited one of its walls, the southwest one, and the ruins are still preserved today.
The castle of Alanís stands on a strategic mound to the south of the town of the same name, in the northeast of the province of Seville, 98 kilometres from the capital.
History
In Celtic times, Alanís was called Iporci, later, with the Romans, it was called Ordo Iporcensium, and with the Arabs Al-Baniz (prosperous land). Some believe that the town owes its name to the origin of a breed of dog, the Alans.
The town was conquered by Ferdinand III in 1249, a few months after Seville, and was the scene of noble disputes in the Middle Ages, especially in the succession crisis of the Catholic Monarchs and between the lineages of Guzmán and Ponce de León.
The castle of Alanís is of Arab origin, was restructured in 1392 and artillery was installed by the French in 1808, given its strategic location. It was attacked by the French during the Napoleonic occupation, who dynamited one of its walls, the southwest wall, and the ruins are still preserved today.
Legend has it that the castle is enchanted and that the Moorish Acsia appears there, who walks through the numerous passages that lead to the castle and which are located in the subsoil of the town…
Description
It has a hexagonal floor plan with a high tower and barbican, which no longer exists. Its walls, 2.3 metres wide and 6.5 metres high, left a single access to the enclosure on the north side, from where the village can be seen.
State of conservation
It is in a state of ruin. Some years ago, the Town Hall undertook a series of reconstructions and actions that lacked the relevant legal permits, as well as any rigour in their design and execution. These included the construction of the battlements, the plastering of some of the walls with inappropriate material, the construction of some rooms in the interior, and the walling up of the main door. Although this happened some years ago, and the Town Hall was sanctioned by the competent State body, the unfortunate actions carried out on this important historical monument have still not been repaired.
Ownership and use
It is the property of Alanís Town Council, by cession from Seville Town Council.
Protection
Under the protection of the generic Declaration of the Decree of 22 April 1949, and the Law 16/1985 on Spanish Historical Heritage. In 1993 the Junta de Andalucía granted special recognition to the castles of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.
Alrededores
A stroll through the town of Alanís will reveal houses with façades in the Mudejar (15th century) and Renaissance (17th century) styles. The fountain of Santa María, built in the time of Carlos I, is very popular in the perimeter of the town centre. It is worth mentioning the parish church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, a traditional construction with three naves dating from 1356, although it was later enlarged and remodelled, with the tower and façades dating from the 15th century and the chapel next to the chancel from 1570. Its valuable Baroque altarpiece, which adorns the entire front of the main altar and dates from the 16th century, is worthy of note. Inside there is a 16th century chapel decorated with Mudejar tiles. It underwent major repairs in the mid-18th century due to an earthquake.
Also worth seeing is the chapel of Jesús Nazareno, a small enclosure from the end of the 19th century, the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de las Angustias, inside which the image of Nuestra Señora de las Angustias, Patron Saint of the town, is kept and venerated. The original image was destroyed during the Civil War, and was later replaced by the present work of the sculptor Castillo Lastrucci.
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