


I visited this castle in 2001.
Osma Castle is situated next to the town of El Burgo de Osma, in the western part
of the province of Soria in Spain.
The following historical info is taken from a little Spanish booklet, titled
Castillos de Soria.
My Spanish translation skills aren't great so forgive any mistakes that may occur.
On a hill between the rivers Ucero and Avion, close to the ancient Roman city of
Uxama and dominating the today humble, but formerly important, town of Osma, lie
the remains of this once strong castle. It once possessed three walled enclosures
of which nowadays some remains can be seen. The highest inner enclosure makes up
the present castle with remains of a keep and other buildings. Along the outline
of the lowest and largest outer enclosure, running down the slope of the hill, next
to the riverbank, stands a ruined tower called; Torre del Aqua (Tower of the Water).
It is constructed, as are some parts of the castle, with building materials taken
from the ruins of nearby Uxama.
The medieval Osma Castle, built in 912 and conquered for the first time by King
Garcia of Leon, underwent innumerable sieges and devastations due to Moorish
expeditions that took place during the 10th and 11th century. Until 1088 when it
was taken by king Alfonso VI during the Reconquest.
The town of Osma was founded in the 12th century along with its primitive Roman
Catholic cathedral de San Pedro de Osma. As the town became more important than
the castle it was equipped with great city walls, which are partially conserved
today, in the 15th century by the bishop Pedro de Montoya, who also fortified nearby
Ucero Castle.
Osma Castle is a nice ruin and can be visited freely. There ain't much to be seen
inside but its a nice walk up the hill and the views from above are great.
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