Now used mainly as a venue for concerts, parties and the ubiquitous local beer fest, Sohail Castle in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol was built back during the Moorish history of the coastal town on a site with even older tales to tell.
The site was later occupied by the Romans, who named the town "Suel." On the pedestal of a statue found near the castle an inscription mentions "Suel" as being a a Roman "municipium" and a funeral urn found nearby has an inscription with the word "Suelitana."
In the mid-10th century, along came Abd-ar-Rahman, who built the castle as it stands today. After several centuries, the name of the settlement changed from Suel to Suhayl, which became the name of the castle and surroundings during the Moorish era.
Reportedly during that period, Suhayl became a fairly large settlement, including farmland and small villages.
Apparently the town was set on fire in the early Middle Ages and its inhabitants fled to Mijas, a town nearby. Suhayl became a mound of ruins and its name was changed to the Romanized Font-Jirola, (origins of the modern name of Fuengirola), named after the spring arising at the foot of the castle.
When only the fortress remained, the area fell into the hands of the Christian Monarchs in 1485, as part the final phase of the Reconquista (reconquest).
An attempt to repopulate the site with 30 people failed, and in 1511 it was registered as uninhabited, apart from the fortress and a watchtower.
In later years, development started again in the area. The Moorish castle of Suhayl, or Suhail, remained an abandoned ruin until renovations began in 1995.
The interior of the castle was completely renovated in 2000 and the structure began to host festivals and concerts during the summer period. More landscaping was performed in 2002.
To the source with photos: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/356951
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