Freedom Kilt storms a Spanish Castle!

**cessna152towser** · 9th February 08, 03:26 PM

Sohail Castle was built as a defensive castle by the Muslims around the 12th century.

The castle was captured by the Christians in 1485.

The castle stands on a small hill and was a fair old pech up from sea level but I made it to the outside wall.

I soon found the entrance gate.

Inside the gate was a defensive barbican, where a corridor led between two high walls to the inner gate house.

Soon I was inside the courtyard and contemplating the gate house.

A view of the gate house.

Reconstructed soldiers' houses within the courtyard.

Within the courtyard, where there had once also been a priest's house, for christian church services were also held here.

Courtyard
- more to follow shortly.

**cessna152towser** · 9th February 08, 03:36 PM

On the Ramparts

The gun battery was added in the 18th century.

It was necessary to defend against invaders from North Africa coming across the Mediterranean sea.

The gun battery provided defences against invaders from the sea.

Just as Caerlaverock Castle stands at the mouth of the River Nith near Dumfries, so too, Sohail Castle is surrounded by water on two sides, this is the mouth of the Fuengirola River.

In the 12th century, the Fuengirola River would have been navigable for four miles inland though today it is silted up.

The flag tower from the gun battery.

I just had to scale the flag tower.......

..........and raise a flag for x-marks,

and a final view from the flag tower, looking down over the gun battery.

**BoldHighlander** · 9th February 08, 03:51 PM

Great photos! Thanks for sharing

**Arlen** · 9th February 08, 04:42 PM

Fantastic pictures, Alex.

Not 100% sure, but wasn't that castle used in the filming of a few Sharpe episodes?

**Glen C** · 9th February 08, 04:46 PM

Alex, Great Pics! I see you fled the borders for warmer climes. When do we get to see the speedo and topless beach pics? It's warming my blood already.

**Phil** · 9th February 08, 05:32 PM

Great time of year to be in the Costa del Sol. How is Fuengirola now they've finished the promenade? The number of times I've passed the castle but didn't realise it was worth a look.

**GMan** · 9th February 08, 11:15 PM

Storming castles while Kilted, what a life!!!!

**David Dalglish** · 10th February 08, 09:01 AM

Great picture's Alex--Hope you & Ann are enjoying your holiday.

**turpin** · 10th February 08, 09:09 AM

Alex, your travelogues are one of the best parts of X-Marks. Good job!

**Amoskeag** · 10th February 08, 09:14 AM

Those are fantastic pictures.

We don't have any castles in NH, however we do have some beaches in New England that sport a few Speedos on people who really shouldn't OUCH! My Eyes!

It looks so "Warm" there, ah well, spring will be here sometime!?!
Bob