Medieval castles of Ribarroja del Turia: A glimpse into Spain's Arabic past

In the heart of Valencia, Spain, the medieval castles of Ribarroja del Turia stand atop a hill, offering a remarkable glimpse into the Arabic occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. The two castles, the Alcázar de Ribarroja del Turia and the Torre de la Cisterna, were built during the same period.

The Alcázar de Ribarroja del Turia, constructed in the 9th or 10th century, boasts a complex layout with various buildings, featuring the principal and the caballerizas. The principal portion, with four floors, has various rooms and departments connected to the ground floor and first floor by an interior courtyard. The lower part of the principal part is separate from the rest of the floors. The caballerizas, a simpler building constructed later, feature a central staircase and twin windows in Gothic late style.

The Torre de la Cisterna, built in the 12th century, is a smaller square tower connected to the Alcázar via a long bridge. It has windows on each of its four floors and a tiled roof. Originally, it served as a watchtower to warn the Alcázar of approaching enemies.

These castles were used as fortresses during the Arabic occupation and were later abandoned until their rediscovery in the 19th century. Today, they are open to the public, welcoming visitors to explore a piece of Spain's rich history.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons