Cártama Castle

Cártama Castle, locally known as Castillo de Cártama, lies above the village with the same name in the province of Málaga in Spain.

The village of Cártama was founded by the Phoenicians who called it Cartha. Later, in 195 AD, the village became an important Roman town with strong defenses called Cartima. These defenses may have included a fort at the site of the present castle.

Cártama Castle was built by the Moors in the early Middle Ages. During the Mozarabic revolt of Omar ibn Hafsun, between 881 and 914 AD, Cártama stayed loyal to the Caliphate of Córdoba and the castle was strengthened.

Because of the advancing Christian troops Cártama Castle was again strengthened during the 14th century. By that time the castle would probably have had a double curtain wall and several towers. In 1485 however, the castle was taken by Christians troops. Because the castle was important for their siege against the city of Málaga, the Catholic Monarchs invested large sums of money in maintaining the castle between 1485 and 1487. From 1491 on the castle lost its strategic importance and the castle was used as a quarry by the locals.

What you can see today are the scarce remains of a rectangular alcazaba with its surrounding walls and a cistern.

Cártama Castle is freely accessible but there is not a lot to see, sadly enough. But the views over the surrounding countryside are great.

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