The Infante who rebuilt castles

«The castle is really something, it's got two layers of walls with lots of towers, and the big tower, called a donjon, has four floors», - Arian was taken aback when he stumbled upon the castle in Villena, the city was home to this impressive fortress.

Its walls and towers gave it a strong look, like it was built to last, and the donjon stood tall, a testament to the castle's history. As Arian walked around, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the castle's grandeur, it was clear that it had been an important place for a long time. Picture this - the Vinalopo region, where Villena is situated, is literally dotted with a fortress on almost every hill.

It's no exaggeration to say that this area has one of the highest concentrations of fortresses in the entire country of Spain. But what's really interesting is the reason behind this. You see, back in the Middle Ages, this territory was a bit of a hotspot - it was a border zone between the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, and also between the Christian and Muslim worlds. That's why there are so many fortresses here, each one telling a story of its own. What draws me to castles is the amazing stories and legends that surround them. The castle of Villena is a great example of this.

I found its history really fascinating, especially when it was owned by Don Juan Manuel, a famous writer, politician, and warrior. He was the grandson of King Ferdinand III and had a big collection of castles in the area. But Villena was his favorite - it was like a precious gem to him. Don Juan Manuel actually created his own little state within Spain, known as the Señoría of Villena, and this castle was at the heart of it. The castle of La Atalaya has a long and storied history, dating back to the 12th century when it was first founded by the Almohads. Later, it fell into the hands of Christian troops, who held it for many years. But it was during the war against Napoleon that the castle suffered its most significant damage. As Napoleon's troops were forced to retreat under pressure from the allied forces, they decided to destroy the strategically important fortress, fearing it would fall into enemy hands. To do this, French soldiers laid powerful charges of gunpowder inside the castle, causing massive explosions that seriously damaged the structure.

However, the castle's story doesn't end there. Don Juan, a man with a vision for the castle's future, gave La Atalaya a second life by reconstructing it, restoring it to its former glory. Today, the castle stands as a testament to the region's rich history and the power of restoration. Its walls, once damaged by war, now tell a story of resilience and rebirth.

The castle's reconstruction is a reminder that even the most damaged structures can be given new life, and that history can be preserved for future generations. As we explored the fortress, we made our way up to the main tower, where we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the city. But what caught Erika's attention was a figure in black, standing inside. She approached him and said hello, but he didn't even flinch, too engrossed in writing something in a book.

His persistence was almost eerie, and Erika couldn't help but feel a shiver run down her spine. The man's focus was unwavering, his pen scratching away at the paper with a steady rhythm, as if the world around him had melted away. Erika was taken aback, thinking the man was being rude, but Arian quickly clarified that he was actually a mannequin. This prompted Erika to do some research, and what she found out was quite interesting. The mannequin, it turned out, was a representation of Don Juan Manuel, a historical figure who had lived a long time ago.

One thing that had concerned Don Juan Manuel during his lifetime was the accuracy of his written works, and he was particularly worried that they would be altered or distorted by copyists, which would have changed the meaning of what he had intended to convey. The king's grandson took it upon himself to make sure his grandfather's writings were preserved accurately. He wanted to create a special collection of the king's manuscripts, where people could read the original words without any mistakes. This was a brand new idea in Spain, and it marked the beginning of creating an "author's archive" - a place where people could access the exact writings of the king, just as he intended. Don Juan really thought that everyone should be able to get knowledge. What's interesting is that he wrote his books in Castilian, the language that regular people spoke, instead of Latin, which was the language of scholars and the church. He did this on purpose, so that ordinary people who knew how to read could understand what he was trying to teach them and learn from the moral lessons in his books.

As we strolled through the city, we eventually found ourselves in the historic center, where the stunning Villena Town Hall caught our eye. The building's facade was particularly striking, with its beautiful arches that seemed to transport us back in time. Not too far from here, you'll find two beautiful churches. The Church of Santiago is really something special, with its columns that twist and turn like spirals, reminding you of sea shells or palm trees. This unique feature makes the inside of the church feel light and airy, even though it's surrounded by heavy Gothic walls. When the sun shines through, it's especially cozy, with the warm light dancing across the old stone. The other church, the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, has a fascinating history - it was once a mosque. It's smaller and more intimate, with a unique blend of styles, from Gothic to Baroque, that gives it a special kind of charm.

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