Order of Calatrava
| Order of Calatrava Orden de Calatrava | |
|---|---|
The order's emblem, a red Greek cross with a fleur-de-lis at each end | |
| Type | Religious Order of Honour and formerly a Military Order |
| Country | Spain |
| Royal house | Bourbon-Anjou |
| Religious affiliation | Catholic |
| Founder | Raymond of Fitero |
| Grand Master | King of Spain |
Ribbon bar | |
The Order of Calatrava (Spanish: Orden de Calatrava, Portuguese: Ordem de Calatrava) was one of the four Spanish military orders and the first military order founded in Castile, but the second to receive papal approval. The papal bull confirming the Order of Calatrava was given by Pope Alexander III on September 26, 1164. Most of the political and military power of the order had dissipated by the end of the 15th century, but the last dissolution of the order's property did not occur until 1838.