Roses, Citadel at Roses. Costa Brava, Spain

 Ciutadella de Roses

Citadel of Roses, Spain

The walled citadel at Roses, known as the Citadel of Roses, takes more than a mere walk-around to absorb. By surviving appearances looks Renaissance, 16th Century; and most of it is. Inside, however, are ruins of ancient Greek and Roman walls, structures; and commemorations for battles conducted here through ages. The site of Roses was important for its bay, trade, openings into the interior. Everybody added to the fortification, and finally it all got walled in and even parade grounds and barracks built. Within Roses or a few miles, are reminders and places to explore, ancient to modern times.

Citadel of Roses, Spain.  Walkway past old Greek and Roman ruins.

The fortification grew:  see successive walled areas.  And this site covers it all well:  http://www.aquabrava.com/en/useful-information/tourism/the-citadel-of-roses.html.  For history-military buffs, sites like this are a fine starting point for the panoramic view of human conflict.

Citadel at Roses, Ciutadella de Roses, walled structures within walled structures

The strategic location of the Citadel at Roses:  The foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains are within easy reach.  Defend against invaders from what is now France; or try to take refuge from invaders from south and west, the Moors.  The fort here also was a backstop for invasions from the sea, at Roses, if the smaller fort-castle there fell.

Citadel of Roses, Spain. Strategic location.

Citadel of Roses, Spain.  Ruins of old barracks.

The citadel also was a defense for King Pere II el Gran's forces in the thirteenth century.   A Peter the Great of Catalonia and Aragon was born in Valencia in 1240 and died in Vilafranca Barcelona in 1285.  He was mummified and now rests Sant Cugat, north of Barcelona. The body may be viewed there.  Click on the translate button at http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2010/03/22/actualidad/1269212408_850215.html.  He apparently dyed his hair blond with a broom substance, see http://www.ara.cat/societat/Pere-Gran-tenyia-cabell-ros_0_502750251.html/.  Pere II el Gran was also credited with the victories of his forces at Roses (but against whom?).

Plaque commemorating victory of  the Catalan-Aragonian king, Rei Pere II El Gran, King Peter II, the Great, at the Ciutadella de Roses, Citadel at Roses.

King Peter II The Great, Catalonia and Aragon, Rei Pere II El Gran, commemorative victory plaque, Citadel at Roses 1288 battle, Roses, Spain

Roses Citadel. Ciudadela.  Successive conquerors and settlers built here.

There are gateways opening to land, and to sea.

Citadel, Roses, Spain. Parade ground. Huge enclosed fortified pentagon, star shaped.

Parking in Spain:  find a spot, then note specifically the color of the curb or outer limit line parallel on the street side.

White?  Free parking.  Stop looking for the Pay-go.  Yellow or red?  Pay-go.  Find the machine, estimate your time, pay in, put the stub on the dash.  Towns and areas are inconsistent, so ask or do what others in that line are doing, see http://spain.angloinfo.com/transport/driving/parking/

Cordoba - the Roman City

Cordoba, Roman Temple, Claudius Marcellus

Explore the remains of the Temple constructed by Claudius Marcellus, at Claudio Calle Marcelo, about a mile from the Mezquita, the Mosque, now Roman Catholic Cathedral, see other post.*




See the temple as imagined at //www.spanisharts.com/arquitectura/imagenes/roma/i_cordoba_claudio.html.

And the long bridge over the River Guadalquivir, to the Mosque and Cathedral, at Cordoba, Roman Bridge.

Do not underestimate Cordoba. There were more cultural buildings in Cordoba under the Romans than in Rome itself, says ://www.sacred-destinations.com/spain/cordoba-history.htm.

Cordoba, Spain. RomanTemple setting, on street, Claudia Calle Marcelo

Today, back up a little bit from the cropped picture to see how the ruins are integrated in modern times.

Those are original old walls, and the building adjoins. Several hotels tout their location over Roman ruins, some, apparently, with glass in the hotel floors so people can look down.

Seville, Cadiz. Roman ruin, roadsixe.

Seville area, Roman ruins, countryside. Spain

On the way to Seville, on a back road, we heard cowbells, stopped for a rest, wandered, found Roman ruins, cattle wading beyond.


First, to Seville, www.andalucia.com/cities/sevilla, and Cadiz, www.alicante-spain.com/costa-del-sol/cadiz.

In Seville, when you go to a flamenco club, sit as far front as possible - the dancers may well spot your companion (Dan was spotted) and the gazes and smiles during the performances are worth a whole trip in itself.