Castillo de San Marcos, Medieval castle in El Puerto de Santa María, Spain.
Castillo de San Marcos is a fortress built with limestone blocks featuring rectangular walls and four corner towers that blend multiple architectural styles. The structure contains a chapel, underground chambers, and displays elements from Roman, Islamic, and Christian periods.
King Alfonso X ordered construction of this fortress in the 13th century on the foundations of a former mosque after reclaiming the city. The structure was later expanded and served as a military and administrative center for centuries.
The fortress displays layers of different faiths: Roman columns stand alongside Islamic prayer spaces and Christian religious art from multiple periods. This layering shows how different communities shaped this place over time.
The fortress is accessible on foot from the town center and can be explored with or without guided tours. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes as there are many stairs and pathways throughout the grounds.
Christopher Columbus held strategic meetings here in the late 15th century while preparing his expeditions to the New World. The fortress's walls witnessed these crucial planning stages for his voyages.
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