Jesús Nazareno Castle

Jesús Nazareno Castle, locally known as Castillo de Jesús Nazareno, Castillo del Nazareno or Castillo de las Escobetas, lies next to the beach, in the town of Garrucha in the province of Almería in Spain.

During the 18th century the southern Spanish Mediterranean coast was suffering from attacks of Berber pirates. So, in 1764, Charles III of Spain ordered the construction of nine fortifications on the coast of the Kingdom of Granada.

Jesús Nazareno Castle was built in 1769 and designed by Francisco Ruiz Garrido. It is almost identical to the forts of San Ramón, San Felipe, Guardias Viejas, Carchuna and La Herradura.  It is a rectangular artillery fort with a semicircular counterguard for coastal defense and was armed with 4 cannons. Originally the entrance to the fort was over a drawbridge. It was manned by an officer, 3 corporals and 20 soldiers.

In 1845 it was transferred to the Carabineros Corps and later was used by the Guardia Civil. At present it is used as a marine life museum.

At present Jesús Nazareno Castle can be visited for a fee. Too bad I visited out of season which caused it to be closed. A nice fort.

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