Coordinates: 39°51′29″N 4°01′14″W / 39.858084°N 4.020631°W / 39.858084; -4.020631

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== History ==
== History ==
=== Foundation and first phase ===
=== Foundation and first phase ===
In the 3rd century it was a [[Roman]] [[palace]] where, after the reconquest of the city, they established the [[praetorium]], seat of the magistrate or [[pretor]]. During the Visigothic period the king [[Leovigild]] established in it his capitality in 568. From that time the vicinity was used for "regal residences" that were completed with the construction of the "Pretorienses" churches, so called because of its proximity to the praetorium, like the one of Saint Leocadia (Toledo). It is believed that in this church are buried, flanking the tomb of the saint, the kings [[Wamba (king)|Wamba]] and [[Recceswinth]] which - together with [[Chindasuinth]] - created the [[Fuero Juzgo]]. From the era of Muslim domination, the works initiated by [[Abd ar-Rahman II]] in the year 836 and by [[Abd ar-Rahman III]] in 932.<ref>{{citation publication | lastname = Mayoral | name = Juana Aurora | title = Alcázar de Toledo | publication = Conservation Patronage of the Alcazar of Toledo | year = 1987 | volume = 1 | Pages = 5 | dateaccess = December 5, 2013}}</ref>
In the 3rd century it was a [[Roman]] [[palace]] where, after the reconquest of the city, they established the [[praetorium]], seat of the magistrate or [[pretor]]. During the Visigothic period the king [[Leovigild]] established in it his capitality in 568. From that time the vicinity was used for "regal residences" that were completed with the construction of the "Pretorienses" churches, so called because of its proximity to the praetorium, like the one of Saint Leocadia (Toledo). It is believed that in this church are buried, flanking the tomb of the saint, the kings [[Wamba (king)|Wamba]] and [[Recceswinth]] which - together with [[Chindasuinth]] - created the [[Fuero Juzgo]]. From the era of Muslim domination, the works initiated by [[Abd ar-Rahman II]] in the year 836 and by [[Abd ar-Rahman III]] in 932.<ref>{{cite publication | author = Juana Aurora Mayoral | title = Alcázar de Toledo | publication = Conservation Patronage of the Alcazar of Toledo | year = 1987 | volume = 1 | pages = 5 | accessdate = December 5, 2013}}</ref>

=== Successive expansions ===
It was restored and expanded during the mandate of [[Alfonso VI of Castile]] and its successors [[Alfonso VII of León]] and [[Alfonso VIII of Castile]]; [[Fernando III of Castile|Fernando III the Saint]] embellishes it considerably and [[Alfonso X of Castile|Alfonso X the Wise]] manages to unite the three cultures that have passed through [[Toledo, Spain|Toledo]], — Jewish, Arab and Christian — with the famous [[Toledo School of Translators]], and ordered the construction of the four square-shaped towers that form the four corners of the building.<ref>{{cite publication | author = Juana Aurora Mayoral | title = Alcázar de Toledo | publication = Patronage of Conservation of Alcázar de Toledo | = 1987 | volume = 1 | pages = 6 to 8 | accessdate = 5 December 2013}}</ref>
From the 14th century, when the Muslim threat had almost completely disappeared, under the [[House of Trastámara|dynasty of the Trastámara]] began to exercise the function of regal residence. Internal reforms followed during the reigns of [[Peter I of Castile|Peter I]] called "the cruel"]] by his detractors and "the just" by his followers, [[Henry I of Castile|Henry I]], [[John II of Castile|John II]], [[Henry IV of Castile|Henry IV]] and later, the [[Catholic Monarchs]] that conditioned the west façade.<ref>{{cite publication | | author = Juana Aurora Mayoral | title = Alcázar de Toledo | publication = Patronage of Conservation of Alcázar of Toledo | volume=1 | pages = 6 to 8 | accessdate= 5 December 2013}}</ref>

When [[Charles I of Spain|Charles I]] (Charles V) returned to Spain from Germany summoned in 1525 the Cortes in Toledo and it lodged to him in Alcázar where it discussed with the [[Francis I of France]]'s sister his rescue since he was prisoner in Madrid. It was modified in 1535 under his mandate and ordered the direction of the works to the architect [[Alonso de Covarrubias]], [[Francisco de Villalpando]] and [[Juan de Herrera]]. They designed a compact and closed building, organized around a rectangular courtyard with double level of arches supported by columns of very classic air of [[Corinthian Order|Corinthians]] and compounds capitals. [[Alonso de Covarrubias|Covarrubias]] constructed the north facade and [[Juan de Herrera|Herrera]] the south. The sober facade divided into three floors of repeated spans around which the decoration is concentrated and a gigantic imperial shield on the door reflect the power of the builder. On the death of Villalpando, the works were directed by [[Juan de Herrera]]. It impresses its stairs, later enlarged by [[Francisco de Villalpando]], concluded under the reign of [[Philip II of Spain|Philip II]]. It was temporary residence of the widowed [[Mariana of Austria]] (Philip IV's widow) and [[Maria Anna of Neuburg]] (Charles II's widow).<ref>{{cite publication | author = Aurora Mayoral = title = Alcázar de Toledo = publication = Patronage of Conservation of the Alcázar of Toledo | year = 1987 | volume = 1 | pages = 10 | accessdate = December 7, 2013}}</ref>

=== Fires suffered ===
During the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] suffered its '''first fire''' by the Austrian forces in 1710. Years later, in 1774, the [[Francisco Antonio de Lorenzana|Cardinal Lorenzana]] proposes that its restoration be initiated which was carried out under the direction of architect [[Ventura Rodríguez]]. This was the first fire in a series he suffered. Once restored, the [[Royal House of Charity]] was installed there. The invasion of Spain by the troops of [[Napoleon]] and the events that happened the May 2 of 1808 in Madrid during the [[Peninsular War|Napoleonic French Invasion]] had a great repercussion in the Alcázar since January 31 of 1810, when the French maintained a great contingent of men and artillery in the Alcázar, this suffers its "second fire" without the causes are known leaving only the main structure of the building standing. Luckily, the main staircase suffered very little damage. It was thought to reconstruct it several times but in none of them the attempts went from being simple projects. Many years later, in 1887, the Alcázar suffered the '''third fire''' which began in the library and spread rapidly throughout the building, almost completely destroying it.<ref>{{cite publication|author=Juana Aurora Mayoral|title=Alcázar de Toledo|publication=Patronato de Conservación del Alcázar de Toledo|year=1987|volume=1|pages=9 to 12|accessdate=5 de diciembre de 2013}}</ref>


===Spanish Civil War===
===Spanish Civil War===

Revision as of 17:26, 8 February 2017

See also: Alcazar (disambiguation)
The Alcázar of Toledo.
Facade of the Alcázar.

The Alcázar of Toledo (Spanish: Alcázar de Toledo, IPA: [alˈkaθar ðe toˈleðo]) is a stone fortification located in the highest part of Toledo, Spain. Once used as a Roman palace in the 3rd century, it was restored under Charles I (Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) and his son Philip II of Spain in the 1540s.[1] In 1521, Hernán Cortés was received by Charles I at the Alcázar, following Cortes' conquest of the Aztecs.[2]

Its privileged situation has made it a place of great strategic military value and so the various peoples who settled in it intuited it. Its name is due to one of those dominators: the Arabs who were called Al Qasar which means 'fortress', shortened name of the one that was habitual: Al-Quasaba whose meaning It was the place of the true princely residence [3]

History

Foundation and first phase

In the 3rd century it was a Roman palace where, after the reconquest of the city, they established the praetorium, seat of the magistrate or pretor. During the Visigothic period the king Leovigild established in it his capitality in 568. From that time the vicinity was used for "regal residences" that were completed with the construction of the "Pretorienses" churches, so called because of its proximity to the praetorium, like the one of Saint Leocadia (Toledo). It is believed that in this church are buried, flanking the tomb of the saint, the kings Wamba and Recceswinth which - together with Chindasuinth - created the Fuero Juzgo. From the era of Muslim domination, the works initiated by Abd ar-Rahman II in the year 836 and by Abd ar-Rahman III in 932.[4]

Successive expansions

It was restored and expanded during the mandate of Alfonso VI of Castile and its successors Alfonso VII of León and Alfonso VIII of Castile; Fernando III the Saint embellishes it considerably and Alfonso X the Wise manages to unite the three cultures that have passed through Toledo, — Jewish, Arab and Christian — with the famous Toledo School of Translators, and ordered the construction of the four square-shaped towers that form the four corners of the building.[5] From the 14th century, when the Muslim threat had almost completely disappeared, under the dynasty of the Trastámara began to exercise the function of regal residence. Internal reforms followed during the reigns of Peter I called "the cruel"]] by his detractors and "the just" by his followers, Henry I, John II, Henry IV and later, the Catholic Monarchs that conditioned the west façade.[6]

When Charles I (Charles V) returned to Spain from Germany summoned in 1525 the Cortes in Toledo and it lodged to him in Alcázar where it discussed with the Francis I of France's sister his rescue since he was prisoner in Madrid. It was modified in 1535 under his mandate and ordered the direction of the works to the architect Alonso de Covarrubias, Francisco de Villalpando and Juan de Herrera. They designed a compact and closed building, organized around a rectangular courtyard with double level of arches supported by columns of very classic air of Corinthians and compounds capitals. Covarrubias constructed the north facade and Herrera the south. The sober facade divided into three floors of repeated spans around which the decoration is concentrated and a gigantic imperial shield on the door reflect the power of the builder. On the death of Villalpando, the works were directed by Juan de Herrera. It impresses its stairs, later enlarged by Francisco de Villalpando, concluded under the reign of Philip II. It was temporary residence of the widowed Mariana of Austria (Philip IV's widow) and Maria Anna of Neuburg (Charles II's widow).[7]

Fires suffered

During the War of the Spanish Succession suffered its first fire by the Austrian forces in 1710. Years later, in 1774, the Cardinal Lorenzana proposes that its restoration be initiated which was carried out under the direction of architect Ventura Rodríguez. This was the first fire in a series he suffered. Once restored, the Royal House of Charity was installed there. The invasion of Spain by the troops of Napoleon and the events that happened the May 2 of 1808 in Madrid during the Napoleonic French Invasion had a great repercussion in the Alcázar since January 31 of 1810, when the French maintained a great contingent of men and artillery in the Alcázar, this suffers its "second fire" without the causes are known leaving only the main structure of the building standing. Luckily, the main staircase suffered very little damage. It was thought to reconstruct it several times but in none of them the attempts went from being simple projects. Many years later, in 1887, the Alcázar suffered the third fire which began in the library and spread rapidly throughout the building, almost completely destroying it.[8]

Spanish Civil War

During the Spanish Civil War, Colonel José Moscardó Ituarte held the building against overwhelming Spanish Republican forces in the Siege of the Alcázar. The incident became a central piece of Spanish Nationalist lore, especially the story of Moscardó's son Luis. The Republicans took 16-year-old Luis hostage, and demanded that the Alcázar be surrendered or they would kill him. Luis told his father, "Surrender or they will shoot me." His father replied, "Then commend your soul to God, shout 'Viva Cristo Rey' and die like a hero."[9]

Moscardó refused to surrender. Contemporary reports indicated that the Republicans then murdered Moscardó's son. Other historians have reported that Luis was not in fact shot until a month later "in reprisal for an air raid".[10] The dramatic story also camouflages the fact that the fate of a number of male hostages, mainly from the Guardia Civil, taken into the Alcázar at the beginning of the siege is unclear. Some sources say the men "were never heard of again".[11] However at least one journalist who visited the Alcázar in the immediate aftermath of its liberation saw a number of prisoners chained to a railing in a cellar.[12]

The events of the Spanish Civil War at the Alcázar made the structure a symbol for Spanish Nationalism and inspired the naming of El Alcázar, a far-right newspaper that began during the civil war and ended during the Spanish transition to democracy as the mouthpiece for Búnker, a faction of Francoists who opposed reform after Francisco Franco's death.

By the end of the siege, the building had been severely damaged. After the war, it was rebuilt and now houses the Castilla-La Mancha Regional Library ("Biblioteca Autonómica") and the Museum of the Army ("Museo del Ejército"), the latter having previously been housed in the Salón de Reinos in Madrid.

  • Heinrich Himmler visits the Alcázar with José Moscardó in October 1940.
    Heinrich Himmler visits the Alcázar with José Moscardó in October 1940.
  • Interior of the Alcázar in 1901.
    Interior of the Alcázar in 1901.
  • Rear view of the Alcázar in 1887.
    Rear view of the Alcázar in 1887.
  • Monument to the siege.
    Monument to the siege.

See also

References

  1. ^ Henry Kamen, Philip of Spain, (Yale University Press, 1999), 184-185.
  2. ^ Toledo and the New World in the Sixteenth Century, Javier Malagón-Barceló, The Americas, Vol. 20, No. 2 (October 1963), 124.
  3. ^ Template:Citation of the publication
  4. ^ Juana Aurora Mayoral (1987). Alcázar de Toledo. Vol. 1. p. 5. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |publication= ignored (help)
  5. ^ Juana Aurora Mayoral. Alcázar de Toledo. Vol. 1. pp. 6 to 8. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |publication= ignored (help)
  6. ^ Juana Aurora Mayoral. Alcázar de Toledo. Vol. 1. pp. 6 to 8. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Unknown parameter |publication= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Aurora Mayoral = title = Alcázar de Toledo = publication = Patronage of Conservation of the Alcázar of Toledo (1987). Vol. 1. p. 10. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ Juana Aurora Mayoral (1987). Alcázar de Toledo. Vol. 1. pp. 9 to 12. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |publication= ignored (help)
  9. ^ Ideal Spain article
  10. ^ Thomas, p 311
  11. ^ Beevor, p122
  12. ^ Eby, p187

Sources

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39°51′29″N 4°01′14″W / 39.858084°N 4.020631°W / 39.858084; -4.020631

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