Culla Castle

Culla is one of the towns with more historical and patrimonial wealth of the whole area of Maestrazgo, in the province of Castellón. The whole history of Culla is linked to its castle, the Castle of Culla is one of the most important in the Valencian Community by history and territorial importance. The historical importance of the Castle of Culla begins in the time of the Cid Campeador, who helped King Pedro I of Aragon in the conquest of land with the aim of achieving an outlet to the sea. In fact, in a document of the time Pedro I is known as king of Aragon, Pamplona, Sobrarbe, Ribagorza, Culla and Oropesa (between 1091 and 1100), at that time the territorial importance of Culla Castle was immense. The second Christian conquest dates back to 1233 by James I of Aragon, in fact, the Conqueror King entered the Kingdom of Valencia, according to the Llibre dels Fets, through the Rio de la Truchas, at that time the territory of the Castle of Culla (today Villafranca del Cid). In 1303 the Order of the Temple bought the Castle and Lordship of Culla for 500.The territorial dimensions of the Castle of Culla at that time were 8 current villages (Culla, Benassal, Vistabella del Maestrat, Atzeneta del Maestrat, Torre d'En Besora, Benafigos, Villar del Maestrat, Torre d'En Besora, Benafigos, Villar del Maestrat and Villar del Cid), Benafigos, Villar de Canes and Villafranca del Cid), the first seven villages named above became part of the Order of Montesa in 1319, with Commandery in Culla and in 1345 the Setena de Culla was formed with the seven villages already named. The importance of the commandery of Culla within the Order of Montesa was very relevant during the next five centuries, being the Ardiaca of Culla a member of the ecclesiastical arm of the Valencian Cortes. The period of decline of Culla Castle began in the War of Succession, when the Lordship of Culla supported the Archduke Charles of Austria and the town and castle were besieged and attacked; A century later, during the first Carlist war, General Cabrera became strong in the Maestrazgo thanks to several places, including the Castle of Culla, at the end of the war, in 1843, the liberal government of Regent Espartero ordered the destruction of the Castle of Culla to prevent the Carlists to become strong in future wars, the castle was dynamited and the stones used to build houses and expand the village.