Calatrava la Vieja
Location: Castile-La Mancha
Constructed: began in 785
Description of Calatrava la Vieja
Calatrava la Vieja is a ruined medieval stronghold situated in a
Castile-La Mancha province of Spain. Its construction began
began in 785. The ancient city of Calatrava, known since the
13th century as Calatrava la Vieja, is located in the
municipality of Carrión de Calatrava (Ciudad Real, Spain).
During the High Middle Ages, Calatrava la Vieja was the only
important city of al-Ándalus in the middle valley of the
Guadiana River. His outstanding position, on the left margin of
this one, made it obligatory on the road from Córdoba to
Toledo and in the
communications between the Levante and the Peninsular West.
Castle was constructed by the Muslim builders of the Umayyad
kingdom (late 8th century), for four centuries it was part of
al-Andalus. In the middle of the 12th century, after moving to
Castile, it was one of the first possessions of the Order of the
Temple in this kingdom. After the templar abandonment of the
place, the city was the origin and first seat (1158) of the
Order of Calatrava, the oldest peninsular military order.