Castillo de Santia, Medieval castle in Erla, Spain.
Castillo de Santia is a medieval castle ruin in Erla, consisting of a rectangular tower within a trapezoidal walled enclosure positioned on an elevation southwest of the town. The tower measures approximately 7 by 5 meters (23 by 16 feet) and stands surrounded by remains of the original fortification walls.
The fortress first appeared in written records in 1092 when King Sancho Ramírez transferred its church to the monastery of San Juan de la Peña. It subsequently served as an important element within the defensive network protecting the Cinco Villas region of Aragon.
The fortification displays Gothic features with pointed arches and carefully dressed stone blocks that reflect medieval construction methods. These building styles are typical of medieval fortifications found throughout the Aragon region.
The ruins are visible from Erla and Ejea de los Caballeros, but access requires prior permission from Erla Town Hall due to structural instability. Visitors should exercise caution and contact the local authorities beforehand, as the site is not fully secured for public entry.
The fortification was part of a chain of defense structures and maintained direct sightlines to both Castillo de Sora and Castillo de Erla. This system of mutual visual connections enabled effective communication and surveillance across the Cinco Villas territory.
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