The substantially restored Castillo de Guzmán el Bueno has great views from its towers and battlements, both over the town and across the water towards Morocco. To my surprise, it is accepted that I am an a pensioner, this is not age dependent as in most tourist venues in Spain. It is thus a bargain at 2.50.
Originally a tenth century Moorish alcázar constructed by the great Abd ar-Rahman III, ruler of Córdoba, on the ruins of a Roman fort, the building underwent many later alterations. It is named after Guzmán El Bueno, Tarifa’s infamous commander during the Moorish siege of 1292. Guzmán’s nine-year-old son had been taken hostage by a Spanish traitor and surrender of the garrison was demanded as the price of the boy’s life. Choosing “honour without a son, to a son with dishonour”, Guzmán threw down his own dagger for the execution. I wonder what the mother thought. I feel for her.
Please note the reconstructed catapult. Obviously, Tarifa, sitting at the gateway to the Med just 11km from Africa is highly strategic. It was once used to defend Al Andaluz (by the Moors) and later Catholic Spain (from the Moors). Crazy.
As I am on the walls, (some health and safety issues here) I notice the hover jet to Tangiers leaving. I wonder if it is the one I took in 86!
The hoverjet is making good progress.
Morocco is barely visible today, I am so glad I had those clear views yesterday.
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