Templar Castle · Cantavieja

Templar Castle, Cantavieja. The route continues to the remains of the ancient Templar Castle, located on top of the rocky escarpment overlooking the village. Its walls witnessed many historical episodes, from its origin linked to the Order of the Temple to its strategic role during the Carlist Wars. In this place the importance that Cantavieja had as a bastion of Carlism stands out, being one of the main command centers of General Ramón Cabrera. The fortress, although in ruins, allows to understand its defensive use, of surveillance and control of the territory, as well as its adaptation to the warlike necessities of different times. When Cabrera took control of the Carlist troops in the East, he decided to establish in Cantavieja the military capital of the eastern front, ordering to erect in the space where the castle was located an artillery and foundry center where the weaponry available for the conflict was produced. The Carlists abandoned Cantavieja in 1839 after the siege of the liberals during the winter. However, Cabrera ordered the destruction of all the defensive emplacements built for the war, leaving few vestiges of the castle, forts and walls. From here, in addition, you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the surroundings, which reinforces the military and symbolic value of the castle in the history of Cantavieja and in the defense of the Maestrazgo during the nineteenth century.