Castra Marriză
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| Castra Marriză | |
|---|---|
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| General information | |
| Type | Castrum (castle/palace) |
| Architectural style | Romance, Romano-Gothic |
| Location | Cerrazzanum, Ranaella Province |
Castra Marriză is a fortress complex located outside of the ruins of old Cerrazzanum in Ranaella Province, Caphiria. Since its completion in 1333, the complex has been owned by many of Caphiria's wealthy and elite. In the 17th century, Pope Osvale II seized control of Castra Marriză for his personal summer residence. The Osvale Estate maintained control of the complex until 1958 where it was donated to the Imperium and today serves as a popular tourist and vacation attraction.
The construction of the complex was ordered by Imperator Zenoristore VIII in 1333, who wanted to have a summer palace "fit for the Pienduccos", a pair of centaurine sea-gods with the upper bodies of men, the lower fore-parts of horses, ending in the serpentine tails of fish. The result is a complex with a sober character in its exterior and splendid in its interior, with the magnificent gardens and courtyards that maintain a Sastelongra inspiration.
History
The complex
The palace complex covers a large area of about 39,000 square meters situated to the southwest of the ruins of old Cerrazzanum. When it was first constructed, the complex was surrounded by 50 foot walls but they were destroyed in 1721.
The complex features two main gates: portam ferream (Iron Gates) and portam flumen (Gates at the River). The portam flumen was the southern gate, facing the river, and was the main gate of the palace. It was fronted by a public square where executions and triumphs took place. The gate itself included a balcony or platform (called a falere) from which Pope Osvale II could observe the events. The heads of executed enemies were also hung here on display and a prison stood nearby. The "Iron Gates" (portam ferream), located to the north, were supposedly named because its door knockers were notably looted from one of the gates of Teritucán, an ancient city in what is now modern Cartadania.
There were least three additional gates: porta paradisi (Gate of the Gardens), portam civitatis (Gate of the Town), and porta caeli (Gate of Heavens). The porta paradisi was another southern gate, above which a reception pavilion was built which gave views over the river. Portam civitatis was a small western gate that led into a nearby town, and porta caeli led into the Cathedral of Cerrazzanum.
The internal layout is very elaborate and was designed to function as a self-contained political base of operations. There are numerous structures and pavilions which can house the residences of the owner as well as the offices for administration. Other notable buildings included the Osvalian Baths and a famous library, both created by Sebastóbal Álvarício Medenelán. The baths are located in the northwest area of the palace complex, near the private apartments. Other service-oriented structures and areas are also located near here.
Towers
The outdoor area of Castra Marriză is surrounded by four 80 meter tall towers: Turre Tempus (Tower of the Clock), Turris Carapirino (Carapirino's Tower), Turris Leonum (Tower of Lions), and Turris Illa (Tower of the Dove).
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Tower of the Clock
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Tower of the Lions
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Carapirino's Tower
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Tower of the Dove (left)
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- Tower of the Clock (Turre Tempus), of octagonal shape, is situated in the Northeast corner, owing its name to the clock that was previously house within. The interior has Gothic features including an ogival ceiling.
- Tower of the Lions (Turris Leonum), of square shape, is situated in the Northwest corner. The door to the base of this tower is currently used as the visitor entrance to Castra Marriză. It is the longest standing tower, dating back to the 13th Century, and is named after gargoyles in the shape of lions which are found on the uppermost section of the tower. Within the tower there are two floors; the ground floor, where the reception can be found, and the upper level which accommodates the Chapel of Márcisco Costila Sérginés Atencavali.
- Carapirino's Tower (Turris Carapirino), of circular shape, is situated in the Southwest corner. It receives its name from the fact that the 17th century artist Efrancio Álvador Carapirino would frequently spend time and created some of his most seminal works here.
- Tower of the Dove (Turris Illa), of square shape, is situated in the Southeast corner. The original tower was demolished in the mid-19th century, the current tower being a reconstruction which dates back to the second half of the 20th century.