Sant Ferran Castle
Encyclopedia
The Sant Ferran Castle is situated on a hill in Figueres
, Catalonia
at the end of Pujada del Castell. It is a large military fortress built in the eighteenth century under the orders of several military engineers, including Peter Martin i Cermeño Juan Martin Cermeño. It is the largest monument of Catalonia.
, the castle, Fort de Bellegarde in Le Perthus
passed into the hands of the French state. To replace that bastion and to stop possible future invasions, it was decided to build a fortress on the hill in Figueres. The first stone was placed on December 13, 1753. The name of Sant Ferran was given in honor of King Ferdinand VI of Spain.
Following its ceasing to be used as a prison, in July 1997, it was opened to the public with guided tours to show the characteristics of the fortress. These tours emphasize the sophisticated construction techniques from the military engineering of the time.
Figueres
Figueres is the capital of the comarca of Alt Empordà, in the province of Girona, Catalonia, Spain.The town is the birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí, and houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, a large museum designed by Dalí himself which attracts many visitors...
, Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
at the end of Pujada del Castell. It is a large military fortress built in the eighteenth century under the orders of several military engineers, including Peter Martin i Cermeño Juan Martin Cermeño. It is the largest monument of Catalonia.
History
Following the negotiation of the Treaty of the PyreneesTreaty of the Pyrenees
The Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed to end the 1635 to 1659 war between France and Spain, a war that was initially a part of the wider Thirty Years' War. It was signed on Pheasant Island, a river island on the border between the two countries...
, the castle, Fort de Bellegarde in Le Perthus
Le Perthus
Le Perthus is a commune in the Pyrénées-Orientales department in southern France. Inhabitants are called Perthusiens and, as of 2006, inhabitants were 582.-Geography:...
passed into the hands of the French state. To replace that bastion and to stop possible future invasions, it was decided to build a fortress on the hill in Figueres. The first stone was placed on December 13, 1753. The name of Sant Ferran was given in honor of King Ferdinand VI of Spain.
Architecture
The castle occupies an area of 32ha within a perimeter of 3120m, and cisterns located under the courtyard are able to hold up to 40 million liters of water. At its height, the castle could support 6,000 troops.Following its ceasing to be used as a prison, in July 1997, it was opened to the public with guided tours to show the characteristics of the fortress. These tours emphasize the sophisticated construction techniques from the military engineering of the time.