09/10/2025
Coca Castle, Spain, located in the Coca municipality.
It was constructed in the 15th century, by the archbishop of Seville, Alonso de Fonseca, during the reign of King Enrique IV of Castile.
The double walls are 2.5m thick and is circled by a deep dry moat.
Unlike many castles, this is lies on flat land instead of a hilltop.
It is made up of two curtain walls, with towers at regular intervals and corners.
It is considered to be the highest example of brick military architecture with Mudéjar filigree work. Mudéjar is the architectural style of Islamic craftsmen living under Christian reign.
The brick however is not the same sort of brick as used for houses, but hardened to withstand enemy attack during a siege.
It survived a number of attacks in its early years, and in the next 200 years underwent repair and renovation.
After 1730 it fell into disrepair due to neglect and disuse, and many important historical artifacts were either lost or destroyed.
During the Peninsular war of the early 1800’s it was captured by the French and fell into further ruin, as the French obviously were not concerned with its upkeep.
In 1926 it was declared a national monument of Spain, but no restoration work was undertaken for another 30 years.
In 1958, after being fully renovated, it became a school for foresters.
Official website below (in Spanish):
http://www.castillodecoca.com/
