(Click on images to enlarge them)
Some History:
The construction of a fortress Modern high in the mountains that surround the village of Pancorbo is no accident, for centuries the natural way to France from Castilla was a gap that lies between the mountains, first a castle (Santa Marta) was stronghold of this place but the passage of time and new weapons were necessary to design a new kind of strength.
After the French Revolution absolutist English government began to fear the French forces could enter the peninsula, bringing new life of freedom and end the independence of our state. So in 1794 he gave the order to build a fortress in Pancorbo. Towards a year since the War Convention (1793-1995) had begun, after initial successes in Gaul territory and the death of General Ricardos from pneumonia, began losing. The French advanced to the north of the peninsula occupied territories in Catalonia, Basque Country and Navarra, coming to take Miranda de Ebro
Following the signing of the Peace of Basel (1795) and a year later the Treaty of San Ildefonso, the border north of the peninsula appears to be safe.
In 1808 Napoleon's French forces enter Spain to invade Portugal and stay way across the peninsula, the fortress of Santa Engracia falls into French hands on March 10, 1808 and will not be recovered until 30 June 1813 and which is used by the French to defend their rear as they retreated from the peninsula. The taking of the fort is commanded by General Wellington, which captures 700 enemy soldiers and their commander. The battle is known as "Pancorbo site, the strength would suffer heavy damage.
After the return of Fernando VII's strength would not be repaired. It was not until the Liberal Triennium (1820-1823) who decides to take military utility to the strength, the end of the strength came when the invasion of the "100,000 children of St. Louis under the Duke of Angouleme take the fortress and destroy the April 23, 1823 to prevent the quartering of troops in it.
While the end of military use of the strength would come in 1823, optical telegraph system which came into use in the nineteenth century would pass through the area, being elected the remains of the fortress for the placement of telegraph line towers of Castile, Madrid, Burgos, Vitoria, San Sebastian and France.
Its construction:
Construction began on September 3, 1794 under the leadership of chief engineer Fermín de Rueda. During the play worked: 1455 workers divided into different specialties like carpenters (40) or beds (150). As animal traction 100 mules were used with 20 cars.
The construction was complex, the location of the place, lift materials and people to the highest points of the mountains, the small town of Pancorbo was not prepared for such number of new people (including soldiers and workers). These two problems brought about by lack of supplies during the entire construction would be delayed until 1797.
Defense Strength:
The Front of San Carlos is the most complex sector of the fortress, was formed by the battery of San Fermín (A), a Revellín (B) and Santa Orosia tongs (C), where it opens a door for access to the main body of Santa Engracia (3). It is also the sector more accessible, to be at a lower altitude, at the crossroads of the roads that link with the strong external de San Luis (1) and Cruz (2). The defense was organized from the platform Revellín of higher, helped by large pits whose role was to hinder the progress of the attackers.
Life Strength:
The fortress had a capacity to accommodate 3575 people, these were divided in different habitats: Barracks, Cuevas and Sheds (Barracks), located both in the inner fortification (General Plaza) and external ones.
Zone in front of San Bernardo were most of the soldiers, while in the San Bartolomé, in caves, were the bakery and the forge that was available fuelwood, furnaces and warehouses.
In the central part of the fortifications were located and senior officials. Hospitals in Front of St. Nicolas, two caves for patients, pharmacy, clothing store, kitchen and pantry.
For ammunition, gunpowder and other artillery six large caves were fitted in the front Bureba, being the most protected.
the grocery store and the chapel were in front of San Sebastian. The food is kept in a large cave, standing in the upstairs half of wheat, barley, bean meal for cattle, chickpeas, rice, beans and cheese downstairs wine, vinegar, brandy and oil distributed in other caves the rest of the wheat, bacon, salt beef, cod, and snuff.
The water supply is essential, especially in sieges, there were various sources on the slopes of the hill and the fortress were excavated tanks and water tanks at various points.
In the eighteenth century, troops were recruited by voluntary enlistment, and one fifth (it takes 1 man in 5), also performing vagrant and idle cam. The requirements were to have between 16 and 40, a Catholic, Apostolic and Roman, measuring at least 1.40 m and not to be: mulatto, Gypsy, executioner or butcher (infamous extraction).
clear differences existed between the living conditions of officers and soldiers, and even among them. 20 men accounted for a table, two benches, a chest, a basin and an oil lamp. Almost all salary was withheld for living expenses and renewal of the uniform, which was done every 30 months, so that in his spare time many were engaged in crafts. Equipped with at least two meals a day consisting of rice, bacon, beans, meat and offal especially bread.
People
Pancorbo and
mountain pass
In the foreground the remains of huts and barracks behind
storage caves, bedroom and Hospital.
Caves Accommodation stores ...
Lattice
moats
Castilla
View from the entrance to the fortress
First
moat
Bibliography: -http: / / www.gabyrulo.es/lugares-para-visitar/3-burgos/174-fortaleza-de-santa-engracia-de-pancorbo
- Informative panels stationed at Fort
