Our Tour to Bijuesca in August 1998

The road to Bijuesca from the north

All photographs by Joop van der Flier (1997)

The village Ciria at the left of the raod with its Moorish castle

Coming from the north driving on the National Highway N.234 from Soria to Calatayud through the Sierra de Montalva with the 2300 meters high Mont Cayo the village Ciria is located as an eagles nest in the moutains. Population (1995) 48.

Crossroads at the village Torrelapaja: we turn right the A-1507 to Ateca and Bijuesca

After the 'Porto de Bigornia' pass in the 'Sierra de Montalva' at the village Torrelapaja we turn right for the A-1507 road to Ateca and Bijuesca. Torrelapaja has a population (1995) of only 48 inhabitants.

The village Berdejo with again a tall Moorish castle

The first village on the A-1507 road to Ateca is Berdejo, somewhat smaller than Bijuesca, population (1995) 54. How impressive looks the Moorish castle from the north-west! It must have been invincable at those times. Possibly the high towers were meant to communicate with the next castles, so the military forces could quickly be warned in case of christan invasions (from the north).

It was after 711 AD at the time of the Omayads of Damascus the North African moslim invasion started. Only 12.000 warriers conquered the 8-million Goths over only a few decades. The king Rodrigo of the Visigoths was killed.The new Omayad province was called Al Andaluz

A look back to the village Berdejo, close to Bijuesca

A look back to the village of Berdejo. It is a beautiful village from here!

We continue the narrow A-1507 road down to Ateca and Bijuesca. How many curves are in this road! Our speed is about 50 km/hr (35 miles/hr) and it is like racing!

Finally the tall Moorish castle of Bijuesca shows up

After a few kilometers driving down the road from Berdejo, the tall Moorish castle of Bijuesca shows up. We are following the river Manubles (at the right).

A closer look at Moorish castle of Bijuesca

A closer look at the 8th century Moorish castle of Bijuesca. The over 12 centuries old castle is in ruins. All over the northern provincies of Spain during the reign Abd Er Rahman the Moores have built similar castles to defend the region against the Christian Reconquistadores. Abd Er Rahman conquered Charles the Great at the vally of Roncesvalles in 778.

Many castles defended the emirat and resisted the attacks successfully until the 14th century. Most were burnt down by the Spanish troops during the Reconquista.

Back to the top of this page