Coffee made its way to Spain through the influence of Islamic Arab culture. During the Islamic expansion from the 8th to the 16th century, coffee began to gain ground in Europe. It all started much earlier, though. Berber tribes in Ethiopia were the first to notice its energizing effects, as early as the 6th century.
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Castillo de Lopera: A castle with a rich history
The Castillo de Lopera is an imposing fortress in the Spanish province of Jaén. In 1240, King Ferdinand III granted the Order of Calatrava an extensive piece of land as a reward for their defensive role during the Christian reconquest. The result? This impressive 3,500-square-meter fortress, unique in the province.
Until the 19th century, the castle belonged to the Calatrava order. During the Madoz confiscation, the fortress passed into the hands of Alonso Valenzuela, an influential mayor and Cortes representative. His descendants inherited the castle until it became municipal property in 2002. A year later, the fortress joined the Ruta de los Castillos y las Batallas, the route of castles and battles.
Two majestic towers
The Torre Santa María, one of the main towers, houses a Gothic chapel from 1535. Juan Pacheco, commander of the Calatrava order, had it built with a Renaissance stucco frieze displaying the family coat of arms. The tower had a bell tower at the front that served as an aircraft lookout post during the Spanish Civil War. When planes approached, the bells rang loudly to warn residents of bombardments.
The Torre San Miguel contained a medieval dovecote: clay vessels built into the wall. After the civil war, the Córdoba pigeon fanciers' association established itself here permanently. Both towers are connected by two wall segments and together form the heart of the inner fortress.
From tobacco drying shed to wedding palace
The castle has served numerous functions in the 20th century. It operated as a tobacco drying facility, cinema, theater, olive processing company, and wine bodega. Later it even became a wedding venue. This versatility shows how the structure continually adapted to the community's needs.
Recent archaeological excavations uncovered numerous graves, both inside and outside the walls. These finds date from different historical periods and tell of the many generations who lived here.
The mysterious treasure
Every true castle deserves a legend. In 1466, residents buried a valuable treasure near the rampart after an attack. In the late 19th century, Rafael Valcárcel began digging. He had his maid Domitila Aviño hypnotized to determine the location. A long tunnel emerged from Calle Sagasta to the Plaza del Triunfo. The result? Just some clay pots and a few coins.
In 1927, construction work unearthed a terracotta statue of Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza. The find caused a stir: according to rumors, the treasure had to be nearby. Did anyone actually find it? That remains unknown to this day.
An architectural masterpiece
The castle has an irregular pentagonal floor plan with two sections. The outer ring consists of wall segments with five defensive towers. The inner section is dominated by the Torres de San Miguel and Santa María. The San Miguel tower guarded access to the alcazar. The damage from a projectile from the Civil War is still visible. Currently there's a museum about the Battle of Lopera.
The Santa María tower, also known as the Homage tower, had two floors. The lower space was converted into a Gothic chapel in the 16th century when the castle became a noble residence. In the 20th century, it underwent another renovation to become living quarters.
Restoration and repurposing
Halfway through the last century, a wine bodega was created within the walls. This drastically changed the original structure. The false gate disappeared, the bell tower of the Santa María tower gave way to battlements, and a large hall with a grape hopper was built.
Thanks to restoration work, the castle regained its former glory. Today there's a visitor center dedicated to the Order of Calatrava, the Battle of Lopera, and the recent bodega era. Together with Casa de la Tercia, the fortress forms the most important monument in Lopera and a highlight on the route of castles and battles.
Plan your visit
The castle was declared cultural heritage in 1991. In 2003, it joined the Ruta de los Castillos y las Batallas through Jaén. Upon entering through the main entrance opposite the town hall, you'll see the same view as a 13th-century resident.
Admission prices
General admission: €4
Groups of 20 or more: €3 per person
Retirees and people with disabilities: €2
Youth (ages 10-16), youth card holders, or students: €2
All tickets include a visit to La Tercia.
(c) photo and source: www.loperaturismo.es
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