Medieval Village
Zahara
POI
XIII to XV centuries. There are few remains left of the ancient medieval village of Zahara so that we can get an idea of what its original appearance was. Not surprisingly, the entire town was surrounded by a defensive cordon consisting of stretches of wall with towers from stretch to stretch, being the whole set crenellated, and even in several places defended by two walls, which are three if we consider the castle itself. The best preserved stretch of wall is in the eastern part. Of the original defensive complex, what is most striking today, being the only thing preserved, is the Torre del Homenaje, located at the neuralgic point of the castle and at its highest point - at 605 m. above sea level. The exterior, adapted to the terrain, has a practically square floor plan (12 x 12.60 meters) and rounded corners, a product of the assimilation of Nasrid military architecture with Christian architecture as in the case of nearby Olvera. The interior of both floors is divided into four compartments each, by means of lowered arches that crisscross to form these spaces, and that are covered, in turn, by vaults vaídas vaídas. In the lower chamber -where we currently enter- we are surprised by a large stone of unknown function. On the second floor there is a chimney -of Christian tradition- and two windows of large proportions, located antagonistically. The last floor corresponds to the roof itself, where we find the chimney exit and four large corner merlons, which constitute the crenellation. The communication of the floors is made by means of vaulted stairs built in the interior. As defensive artifices we find: the arrow slits, of small size and located in different points; remains of probable matacán on the original door of entrance to the second floor, built of brick; and a slope, in the northwest face, that fulfilled different functions. The Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower) is summarized as a building that participated in and, at the same time, individualized the castle: it fulfilled the function of being the last redoubt where to take refuge in case the rest of the town had fallen, with the hope, on the part of the besieged, that help from the outside or a negotiated peace would allow them to stay alive.