Castell d'Alaró
7
The western defenses
Many people visiting Alaró Castle are disappointed by what they perceive as unimpressive defences.
This impression is misleading. Since the Middle Ages, chronicles and documents have described the Castle as a fortress made powerful by nature itself. In fact, even without walls, this site would still have been extremely difficult to conquer.
The Castle is organised into one main enclosure and two secondary ones, all facing westwards. The first enclosure, which we already know, extends from the barbican to the keep.
The main perimeter follows the edge of the cliffs for around 178 metres. If you walk along it from south to north, you will encounter the Spur Tower, Turret 1, a cistern and the keep, all elements already mentioned. Where we are now, there is a small defensive position with arrow slits, Tower 3 and finally the wall of the northern postern gate.
Along this route, various construction techniques can be observed, as well as remains of battlements and arrow slits that recall the Castle’s defensive function. Tower 3, for example, resembles a solid bastion built directly on the rock and reinforced with earth. From here, a wall enclosed the site and incorporated a small secondary gate leading outside, together with a stone wall-walk.
Over time, it became clear that leaving the rocky spur beyond this gate unprotected was a mistake. In fact, this was the most vulnerable point, as attackers could reach it using ladders or even by climbing the rock face directly.
For this reason, King Peter IV of Aragon ordered this area to be reinforced with the construction of an approximately eighty-metre-long wall, blocking access from the west and protecting the eastern and northern flanks as well. Turret 2 was also built during this phase as an additional defensive structure.
In the past, both the main enclosure and the northern one were internally connected by wall-walks documented as the “three wooden passages”.
This impression is misleading. Since the Middle Ages, chronicles and documents have described the Castle as a fortress made powerful by nature itself. In fact, even without walls, this site would still have been extremely difficult to conquer.
The Castle is organised into one main enclosure and two secondary ones, all facing westwards. The first enclosure, which we already know, extends from the barbican to the keep.
The main perimeter follows the edge of the cliffs for around 178 metres. If you walk along it from south to north, you will encounter the Spur Tower, Turret 1, a cistern and the keep, all elements already mentioned. Where we are now, there is a small defensive position with arrow slits, Tower 3 and finally the wall of the northern postern gate.
Along this route, various construction techniques can be observed, as well as remains of battlements and arrow slits that recall the Castle’s defensive function. Tower 3, for example, resembles a solid bastion built directly on the rock and reinforced with earth. From here, a wall enclosed the site and incorporated a small secondary gate leading outside, together with a stone wall-walk.
Over time, it became clear that leaving the rocky spur beyond this gate unprotected was a mistake. In fact, this was the most vulnerable point, as attackers could reach it using ladders or even by climbing the rock face directly.
For this reason, King Peter IV of Aragon ordered this area to be reinforced with the construction of an approximately eighty-metre-long wall, blocking access from the west and protecting the eastern and northern flanks as well. Turret 2 was also built during this phase as an additional defensive structure.
In the past, both the main enclosure and the northern one were internally connected by wall-walks documented as the “three wooden passages”.
Life in the castle
6
War episodes