Castle of Pola: An Andalusi Castle in Zaragoza, Spain
Site at a Glance
- Popularity
- Very Low
- Country
- Spain
- Primary era
- Medieval
- Eras represented
- Medieval
- Civilizations
- Unclassified
- Site type
- Military
- Remains
- Castle
On this page6 sections
History
Andalusi Origins and Aragonese Conquest
The Castle of Pola, also known as the Castle of Pla, is an Andalusi castle built under Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula between the 11th and 13th centuries. It stands near Torres de Berrellén in Zaragoza, Spain. The castle came under the Kingdom of Aragon in 1101 during the campaigns of Pedro I, king of Aragon.
In 1118, the castle had a brief military role during the siege of Saraqusta, the historical name for Zaragoza. The city was besieged by the crusading army of Alfonso I the Battler, king of Aragon.
Royal Possession and Settlement
After the reconquest, the castle initially belonged to the Aragonese crown. It later passed to the Luna, Urrea, and Cerdán families. A settlement called Pola or Pla grew below the castle and was recorded as uninhabited by the 17th century.
In 2006, the castle was listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest in Aragón’s archaeological-zone category, a Spanish heritage designation for places protected for their archaeological importance.
Remains
Setting and Castle Remains
The castle occupies the left bank of the Ebro between Remolinos and Torres de Berrellén, near the river and above the hamlet of Pola. A medieval deserted-settlement archaeological site of the same name occupies the hill. The present hamlet is also evidence of the settlement below the castle. Roughly dressed stone and gypsum walls survive, blending into the terrain. An underground gallery leads to an old cistern, and foundations of buildings may belong to towers.
Churches
The ruined Church of Saint Helena retains part of its brick apse, the curved end of the church, and two pointed arches from its side wall. A second ruined church is dedicated to Saint Agnes.
