Castle of Xiquena, Medieval fortress in Lorca, Spain
Castle of Xiquena rises on a small hilltop near the Corneros River with remains of stone walls and tower structures visible from medieval times. The fortification shows construction methods used to defend this strategic location against enemy attacks.
This fortress was built between the 13th and 15th centuries during the Islamic period as a key defense position in the Murcia region. Its location allowed control of important trade routes and protection from outside invasions.
The name Xiquena comes from the Arabic word Gikena, preserving the memory of Islamic culture in southern Spain. Walking around the ruins, you can see how Moorish building methods shaped the structures that still stand today.
Visiting requires sturdy footwear since the terrain is uneven with a climb up to the hilltop location. Morning or late afternoon visits work best to avoid direct sun exposure on the open hillside ruins.
From the castle hilltop, visitors can see four other fortresses on clear days: Tirieza, Puentes, Vélez Rubio, and Vélez Blanco. These sightlines reveal how medieval defense strategy relied on mutual observation and communication between distant strongholds.
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