Figueres, Sant Ferran Castle, Fortress Castillo de San Fernando

Castillo de San Fernando

Sant Fernan Castle

Figueres, Spain

Citadel at Figueres

 

For military history buffs, and even those just interested in migrations and empire-expansion over centuries, and the resulting conflict and conquests, this Citadel / Castle named for Saint Fernando, Sant Ferran, San Fernando, is a major find.  It is a site where small forces began, and the same site enlarged and recycled for later needs, and is larger than the Citadel of Roses at the coast on the Costa Brava, nearby. It served more than Roses as a bulwark against invasion from the Pyrenees, and a launching pad for attacks over them. Roses concerned itself with invasions from the sea, just by location.

At San Fernando, the concentric (not quite circular, of course) walls show the progression of weaponry:  each wall could focus on a specific kind of threat coming its way.

Figueres, Sant Ferran, Citadel, Castle, Castillo de San Fernando, Spain

This fortress began as a defense against the French in the early 1600's.  See http://www.castillosanfernando.org/ENG/castillo.php.  It was in use through the 19th Century. 

Castillo de San Fernando, Figueres Spain, 19th Century use

In the far distance, the Pyrenees.  As firepower range increased, the placement of the walls enabled short and long range weapons to defend.

Sant Ferran Castle, Citadel, Figueres, Spain. Walls defense redundancy/

The area covered is some 35 hectares (what is that? -- about 2.5 acres make a hectare)

Parade Ground.

Castillo de San Fernando, Figueres, Spain.  Parade Ground

The parade ground had to be large because this place housed some 6,000 troops and some 500 horses, here down below.  Note the dividers between horses, the tilt of the cobbles to a central drain.

Sant Ferran Castle, Fortress. Cavalry horses: quarters for 500 horses. Spains

Every citadel needs a jail.  This one offers at least one nice view.

San Fernan Castle, quiet courtyard at prison area.  Spain

Back to horses.  Cavalry in warfare.  Cavalry logistics.  How to manage 500 war horses. Five hundred down here.  Imagine the feeding, grooming, cleaning.  Horses in warfare:  see the Field Museum, Chicago, http://horse.fieldmuseum.org/behind/how-horses-shaped-history/warfare

Cavalry, 500 horses, Castillo de San Fernando, Spain

Citadel at Figueres.  Spend time.