Castle of Santa Ana, Medieval castle in Castro-Urdiales, Spain
The Castle of Santa Ana sits on a rocky peninsula next to the Santa María de la Asunción Church, defined by five corner towers that rise about 15 meters. The structure sits directly on the water and forms a striking landmark with the church in the harbor landscape.
The fortress was built in the 13th century as part of the town's defensive system to protect the coastline. It was later abandoned in the 16th century as the military importance of the region shifted.
The fortress represents medieval military construction along the Cantabrian coast and defines the character of the old town center. It stands closely connected to the adjacent church, and together they form a unified architectural complex that reflects the medieval urban layout.
Access to the fortress comes from the waterfront area and may be limited depending on tides and weather conditions. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and approach the rocky surroundings with care.
A lighthouse was installed within one of the towers in the 19th century, with its operating mechanism housed in the former fortress chapel. This unusual adaptation shows how the fortification found a new purpose.
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