SPANISH CASTLES.

Spain has a long history of conflicts and war ,and resulted in 2500 castles built all over Spain. Initially not built for beauty , but built for protection. They initially were solid,very serious and dark in appearance
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During the Middle Ages North Chrsitian Kingdoms secured their borders with their Muslim southern neighbors, . The Muslim and Christian kings were forced to grant border liefs to their liege, noblemen to keep and maintain defensive fortresses.
With the Reconquista the castles lost their initial purpose as it has was in the rest of Europe.

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The military purposes at this time were kept, and and towers were added to the residential castles as part of defense.
Muslim Spain castle =palaces as the Taifa KIngdoms became very rich. The castles were built to support courtly affluent lifestyles, and more and more residential castles were built .

Muslim Castles from early times are of the most impressive and beautiful buildings ..
In Spain only 2500 castles remain, and with so many repairs and upkeep has become too expensive for the Government, and the owners , that many are in disrepair , and will become complete ruins.
A rich heritage will be lost.
the Matabeid castle is an example of a once proud defensive castle that now is in ruins.
![Castillo_Matabejid.JPG]
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I have selected just a few of the better know castle pictures, descriptions of the buildings and interiors willl take a lot of time and effort.