The Castle Molina de Aragón is one of the most outstanding fortresses on The Way of El Cid. It is a military building set within a large walled enclosure: 80 by 40 metres built on a very long slope. Although the current appearance of the castle dates from the 13th century, there is evidence that the castle was built on the remains of an old Islamic fortress. As a matter of fact, it is possible to see some of its elements, which date back to the 10th and 11th centuries.
Molina plays a significant role in El Cantar de Mío Cid: after establishing himself at Poyo del Cid, Rodrigo laid under tribute the whole region, as far as Molina. The ruler of the town, whose name was Avengalvón, became a steadfast ally of Rodrigo. The generosity of this tame and servile Moor played a key role in transforming Molina, which was under Moorish control, into a safe town, which is why El Cid’s wife, Jimena, his daughters, Elvira and Sol, Álvar Fáñez and other men came to Molina at some point. All of them spent several nights at the town and were even escorted by Muslim armies when travelling from Castile and Valencia and the other way round.
As regards the fortress, two main parts can be distinguished: the exterior or albacara, which is very large and consists of many square-base turrets; and the castle, which is made of six large towers. Four of the towers are very well-preserved. It originally had eight towers connected by a crenellated rampart.
The towers are situated next to the access to the parade ground and several buildings developed around this part of the castle: the housing of the ruler of Molina, the stable of horses, the kitchen, the furnace, the rooms, the well, the tank, the storehouse and the dungeon. The other towers are three stories high and have large pointed arch windows.
Rev. PAB 27.12.18
