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Condition: After the war of independence against the French in Spain, the Castle suffered numerous damages that together with those accumulated throughout its history, and their subsequent abandonment, have caused that it is now in a ruinous state. Nevertheless, it is kept under the protection of the general declaration of the decree of 22 April 1949, and Law 16/1985 on Spanish Historical Heritage, by which it received the status of monument. Further, in the year 1993 the Junta de Andalusia gave it the deserved special recognition as Castle belonging to the autonomous community of Andalusia. Actual use: Since there are only remnants of what was once a stronghold of great importance to the defense of Seville, its function is purely comtemplative and a tribute to its historical past. Architectural sheet:
The concept of ruins was born from the hand of John Ruskin, father of Romantic thinking in terms of involvement in the Heritage. This restorer of monuments opts for full respect for the traces of time and the past, reflected in each of the monuments. 'We must admire the ruins, contemplating its decline without intervening in it.' The photograph shows in which state some towers of the fortifications are left. Ruskin would be pleased by the view and enjoy so much beauty. His theory of restoration, resumed in the phrase 'We have no right to touch it because it does not belong to us', developed a theoretical trend of romantic restauration in the mid-nineteenth century, which outlined a significant cultural movement that was introduced during that period. Historical sheet: The start date of its construction is dated back to the times of Alfonso X the Wise, who allowed the establishment of a small village called Azinhasola, which over time has become the current Encinasola. The proximity of this town to the border with Portugal, has marked its history and its cultural and economic development. Although it is also known that it wasnot only Alfonso X , who chose to settle here. The existence of the remains of a Roman town on the Hill of the Courts and the Arc de Triomphe from Palomar, tell us that during a long period of time, it has kept all its qualities, and has allowed different cultures to set up home.. Life was unfolding outside the castle, and was spreading towards the various routes leading to this place, both toward Portugal, as toward Fregenal de la Sierra, Cumbres de San Bartolomé and Jerez de los Caballeros. The protection of these territories for the first strip of the Banda Gallega, was very important, and the conflicts were continuous due to the Portuguese intentions. The defense was the responsibility of the Order of the Temple seated in Fregenal de la Sierra. During the reign of Philip II, the border problem is solved temporarily, and during the 16th century the territory is defined, reaching a first agreement of division called 'the Concordata. But even so, the clashes would continue endlessly. The Town Hall of Encinasola was put on fire during un attack by the Portuguese and was not rebuilt until the eighteenth century. Faced with these threats, the people took refuge in the forts of San Juan and San Felipe, built at the end of the sixteenth century, close to Encinasola. Years later, the War of Independence from Portugal or also called the War of Restoration, broke out during the 17th century, after the reign of Philip II.
This causes again that the dispute revives, and thus wars continue, which would last until the nineteenth century (1894), the year in which the partition was final. Still, the years to come were also not very lucky for the conservation of the Castle since the war with France broke out, and caused numerous damages to the structure. In relation to the population of Encinasola, they originally came from the Kingdom of León, especially from Galicia, although they also arrived from León and Salamanca. After the war with Portugal, the people who inhabited these lands, at the beginning did not have rights over these. But after the struggles, the inhabitants of the former Encinasola were given the opportunity to access to the distribution of land. Demographically speaking the population grew. This increase would be significant, because in the fifteenth century citizens of Encinasola and Cumbres de San Bartolomé repopulated the town of Barrancos, at a time when the Portuguese crown was having trouble promoting the repopulation of these places. This event is notable in the peculiar accent of the Portuguese in Barrancos, with lots of Spanish words and twists. Nevertheless, these people have always been brothers, as they have many common qualities. Furthermore it is known that even in times of dispute, trade continued between the locals of Encinasola and people from neighboring villages. Arts and Culture:
Cultural Events: The different works of handicraft are handmade embroidery with its 'filigree' and the arts of woodwork, cork, basket weaving and blacksmith. The most famous cultural expressions are 'Dance of the Pandero' and 'Fandango of Encinasola' dating back to the 16th century. Amongst its holidays we find the Pilgrimage of the Virgen of Flowers and another one at the end of August to honor the Virgin of Rocamador. Their holiday calendar ends on November 30 with the Turnip Fair dedicated to St. Andrew. |
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Many of the castles that are included in this guide, have undergone numerous changes in its structure. History sometimes plays tricks on these monuments of great historical value. During the nineteenth century, the castles that are situated in the Sierra de Aracena, unfortunately shared a common destination. In this century the Independence War against the French broke out, and the castles of Aracena and Encinasola among others, are destroyed. The damage suffered is substantial, leaving only the remains of some of its walls.
