Xiquena Castle: Infierno or Gehenna? A Medieval Fortress in Partial Decay

Xiquena Castle: Infierno or Gehenna? A Medieval Fortress in Partial Decay

Perched on a hill near the Corneros river, Xiquena Castle stands as a silent witness to centuries of battles and mysterious rumors. Its name, either 'Infierno' or 'Gehenna', remains in debate among scholars.

Xiquena Castle, located in Fontanares, a pedanía of Lorca, Spain, is a fortress of Islamic origin that currently stands on the Lista roja de patrimonio en peligro due to its progressive deterioration. From Xiquena, the castles of Tirieza, Puentes, Vélez Rubio, and Vélez-Blanco are visible. Some scholars argue that the name Xiquena comes from Arabic, meaning 'infierno', while others attribute it to Roman origins due to a nearby finca. However, the origin of its name remains a mystery.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons

Written by Nicolo Ciampini

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