Castillo de Sohail

The origins of Castillo de Sohail date back a long way, as it was built in 956 on the foundations of an older fortress, possibly of Phoenician or Roman origin. Abd ar-Rahman III, the eighth emir and first caliph of Córdoba, had the castle built to strengthen coastal defenses. It served to protect against attacks by Christians and Berbers who threatened the Córdoba region from the sea. Later, the castle played a strategically important role in the conflicts of the Islamic taifas of the Iberian Peninsula. During the Reconquista, Sohail fell to the Christian troops of the Kingdom of Castile-León on August 7, 1487. The castle suffered considerable damage in the process. It was rebuilt in 1730, this time to prevent trade with Gibraltar and to provide protection against Moorish pirates. At the beginning of the 19th century, during the Napoleonic Wars, the Castillo was occupied by French troops on February 8, 1810, and severely damaged again during the Spanish War of Independence, before being recaptured by Spanish troops on April 16, 1812.

The castle ruin Castillo de Sohail is located in Fuengirola, a city in the province of Málaga, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain. It is situated at an elevation of approximately 36 meters above sea level.

The castle ruin is now accessible to visitors. The fortress walls are fully preserved and have been restored in recent years. Inside the castle, remnants of partition walls and a covered well in the castle courtyard can still be seen. On the northeastern outer wall, three cannons are aimed towards the sea. The restored walls regularly serve as a backdrop for cultural events such as festivals, artistic and musical performances.

• Fortress Bobastro (Fortress), approx. 44.0 km away
• Torre de la Calahorra (Castle), approx. 150.4 km away
• Roman Bridge Puente Romano (Ancient Buildings), approx. 150.6 km away
• Cathedral of Seville (Catedral de Santa María de la Sede) (Sacred Building), approx. 154.5 km away