Castle of Cardona
The Castle of Cardona (Catalan: Castell de Cardona, IPA: [kəsˈteʎ də kəɾˈðonə]) is arguably the most important medieval fortress in Catalonia and one of the most important in Spain. It is situated on a hill overlooking the river valley of the Cardener and the town of Cardona. The fortress was initially constructed by Wilfred the Hairy in 886.
| Castle of Cardona | |
|---|---|
Castell de Cardona | |
 The Castle of Cardona viewed from the air | |
| Alternative names | Parador de Cardona |
| Hotel chain | Paradores |
| General information | |
| Location | Cardona (Barcelona), Spain |
| Website | |
| Parador de Cardona | |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| Designated | 23 January 1992 |
| Reference no. | RI-51-0005236 |
History
During the 14th century, Wilfred's heirs and successors, the dukes of Cardona, came from the most important family related to the Crown of Aragon, second only to the royal house itself. Because of this, they were called "kings without crowns", as they had extensive territories in Catalonia, Aragon, and Valencia, and dynastic ties with Castile, Portugal, Sicily, and Naples. This presumably increased the importance of the castle. In 1714, even after a Bourbon siege destroyed a good part of the castle's walls, the garrison was one of the last to surrender to the Bourbon troops which supported Philip V.
Architecture
The castle's architecture features both the Romanesque and Gothic styles. Its principal rooms include the Sala Dorada ('golden room') and the Sala dels Entresols ('mezzanine room'). The castle's main jewel is the 11th-century Torre de la Minyona ('maiden's tower'), a tower which measures 15 metres (49 ft) in height and 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter. The Church of Sant Vicenç de Cardona, adjacent to the fort proper, is in the Lombard Romanesque style.
In contemporary culture
The movie, Chimes at Midnight, by Orson Welles was filmed at the castle in Cardona.
The portico of the Church of St. Vincenç in Cardona was once covered with murals. Fragments of these "painted vaults" were restored in 1960 and are now displayed at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona.
The fort is still owned by living descendants of Aragónese dynastic houses. It is operated as a hotel, restaurant and function venue.
See also
- Catalonia
- House of Barcelona, dynasty that held the Crown of Aragon from 1162 until 1410
- House of Trastámara, a Crown of Castile royal line that held the Crown of Aragon, 1412−1555
References
- Pedrosa, Andreu (2001). The Castle of Cardona. Sant Vincenç de Castellet: Farell. ISBN 84-930418-8-2
External links
- Parador at Cardona
- Town council of Cardona (in Catalan)
- Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia)