Castell d'Alaró, Rock castle in Tramuntana Mountains, Mallorca, Spain
Castell d'Alaró is a stone fortress built on Puig d'Alaró peak in the Tramuntana Mountains at 822 meters elevation. It has defensive walls, gates, and watchtowers that rise from the rocky mountain itself.
The fortress was first recorded in 902 during Muslim rule and later became important as a refuge during the Catalan conquest by King Jaume I in 1229. It changed hands several times during the medieval period as control of the island shifted.
The chapel inside the fortress shows how faith and defense were intertwined in medieval times.
To reach the fortress, visitors hike up from Alaró town on a steep trail that takes about four hours. Proper hiking boots and plenty of water are essential for the journey up the mountain.
The fortress walls blend seamlessly with the natural rock of the mountain, making it look as if the structure grows from the stone itself. This building technique made the site nearly impossible to attack because the mountain became part of the defense system.
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