CASTLES IN SPAIN
(Click title to view photo)
At one time more than 10,000 castles were recorded in Spain.
Today the list extends to around the 2,500 mark. Their condition
varies greatly but they all have one thing in common; they are a
standing symbol of the need for protection during the time of
war. Most of them will still stand, long after you or I have
gone.
In Spain, the development of castles was conditioned by the Reconquista
when the troops of Isabel and Ferdinand took Granada, the last Moorish
strong-hold in Spain. When the Arabs invaded Spain in 711, they drove
the Christian forces north to the mountains region of Asturias. In this
frontier territory, the Spaniards built so many castles that it came to
be known as Castilla. As Christian kings and nobles began to push
southward again, they built additional castles, often on the tops of
hills (as with the Peñafiel in Segovia) to control the plains and
protect the cities below. Spanish castle architecture was influenced by
Islamic designs, and such features as decorative masonry and elaborate
battlements give many Spanish castles their characteristically eastern
appearance.
Andalucia
Alcazar de Almeria
Fortified complex, 12 centuries old, built by the Arabs and in a very
poor state today. Built of irregular shape, on top of an original
citadel. It is divided into three enclosures. The main entrance is in a
large round tower. There is a magnificent horseshoe arch leading to an
open space protected by very thick walls.
Castillo de
Almodovar
One of the best preserved castles in Spain and open to the public. Low
admission charge. Allow two hours.The castle of Almodóvar del Rio, in
Cordoba province was built by the Moors in 740 on the top of a 333-foot
(100.6 m) rocky hill. Captured by Ferdinand III of Castilla (r.
1217-1252) in the thirteenth century after a four-year siege, the castle
later fell into ruins and was restored at the beginning of the twentieth
century.
Castillo de Arcos
Rectangular base with crenulated towers. The Tower of Homage being the
most noteworthy. 15th C. External tours only (private residence).
Castillo de Castellar
Quite unique structure in so much as it is still inhabited to this day,
(it incorporates the old town). By far the most important structure in
the area and makes a good visit. There is a good information centre
there and local crafts can be purchased. 12th C. Irregular shape.
Castillo de
Fatetar: (Espera)
13th-15th century. Irregular shape with a quadrangular Homage Tower and
barbican in its main façade. Access is easy and tours are possible if
you call first.
On Sundays free tours are between 4pm and 9pm.
Castillo de Sohail
(Malaga)
Castle that stands where many other buildings have stood. Right at the
entrance to Fuengirola. The castle has been extensively restored and is
open to the public. Surrounded by new gardens and recently been lit with
artistic lighting. Ample parking. Highly visible from the sea and from
the N340 highway as you approach Fuengirola. The castle was once used as
a backdrop in a TV commercial advertising beer.
Jimena de la
Frontera
Several constructions from various dates. Located at the very height of
the village with splendid views. Free entrance. Parking limited at base
of castle. Information centre also located here. Castle in a poor state
but the Roman tower is well preserved. Look also for the water cisterns
that supply the village.
The cemetery is also located on this site.
Castillo de
San Sebastian (Cadiz)
Irregular form, polygonal with 9 sides. Tours are external only as it is
a military enclosure.
Internal tours available in the summer. 18th C.
Castillo
de Santa Catalina (Cadiz)
Its base is of pentagonal form with two defined frontages. Tours are
free every day from 10.30am-6pm.
Alcazar de Jerez
(Cadiz)
The enclosure has a rectangular base. Outside is the Octagonal Tower,
the Albarrana Tower, the highest in the city, the Almohade Tower which
is the largest of the fortress and the Ponce de Leon Tower. Access is
easy and it is located close to the Cathedral. Tours daily from 10am -
6pm. Currently less than 1€ entry fee.
The Alhambra (Granada)
Not so much a castle but a whole complex of castles, palaces and
gardens. The Alhambra in Granada in southern Spain has been the site of
a royal residence since the eleventh century. The oldest surviving part
of the Alhambra is the Alcazaba, a thirteenth century fortress at the
west end of the Alhambra hill, built when Granada was the capital of a
Moorish kingdom. Next to the Alcazaba is a magnificent fourteenth
century palace that is a masterpiece of Spanish Islamic art,
characterized by gardens with pools and fountains and by splendid
decorated rooms. After the fall of Granada in 1492, the Catholic Kings
of Spain built additional palaces, churches and others structures. The
whole complex is encircled by a wall with many towers.
Jaen
A wonderfuly restored and preserved example of Moorish design. Now
houses the finest parador in Spain. Sits high on the Santa Catalina
Hill, overlooking the city of Jaen. Visits to the castle for small fee.
Narrow winding road leads to the castle, through wonderful pine forests.
Castillo de
San Marcos
Rectangular base. 18th C. 3 aisles and 4 crenulated towers. Guided tours
in several languages.
Free on Tuesdays, otherwise 1.20€.
Olvera
A reasonably restored castle that sits high on a narrow peak,
overlooking the village and the large church. The castle is open to the
public for a small fee (1.25€), and includes a museum. The most intact
part is the tower. Limited parking at the foot of the castle in Plaza
Iglesia.
Tourist office also located here.
Castillo de Luna
Rectangular base with 5 crenulated towers and interior patios, dating
from 15th-16th centuries. Tours on saturdays and Sundays, free of
charge. Four tours a day only; 10am, 12am, 5pm and 7pm.
Castillo de Guzman el Bueno
Trapezoidal base with rectangular towers of which the Albarrana Tower is
the most noteworthy. Visits, Tuesdays to Sundays from 10am - 2pm and 4pm
- 6pm.
Entry approx. 1.80€.
Castillo de Vejer
Its perimeter walls are only visible from the interior or from a
distance. The walls have been well restored. Visit the Patio of Arms
free of charge.
Castilla & Leon
El Alcazar
The Alcazar
of Segovia, the capital of Segovia Province was built in the late
eleventh century by King Alfonso VI of Castilla (1072-1109) on a site to
the west of the town above the confluence of the Eresma and Clamores
rivers. Alfonso based his castles in part on the Moorish Alcazar of
Toledo. Rebuilt in the 1333s and expanded a century later, this castle
was severely damaged by fire in 1862 but was restored later in the
century. The Alcazar has the appearance of a fairy-tale castle with its
many conical spires. It is possible to visit the Alcazar.
Castillo de Coca
Built around 1400 for Archbishop Alfonso de Fuesca of Seville, the
Castillo de Coca, in Segovia, remained the property of the Fonseca
family for many centuries. Built of brick with three sets of walls, Coca
is a particularly fine example of the Mudejar (Moorish) style of
architecture.
La Mota
This dominating and golden castle, which lies 43km from the capital of
the province, and which was restored in the present century, was
designed as it stands today by the master builder Fernando Carreno, who
carried out important works at the site in the 15th century building
which was of Mudejar origin. It is made of brick and has a polygonal
plan. The walls have round towers and loopholes. There is a barbican
around the bailey, with merlons and underground passages all round, as
well as embrasures for a perfect defense. A drawbridge which is immobile
today used to lead up to the gates above which there is a splendid coat
of arms of the Catholic Monarchs, with the yolk and arrows and their
motto, ie, the Gordian knot. The double line of walls has merloned
platforms with loop-hole like windows and machicolation along the top
part.
Behind all these defenses the castle as such had sumptuous halls and
rooms, which have almost completely disappeared today. Only some remains
of the decoration are reminiscent of their elegance. Of all these rooms,
the most famous one is the one that is popularly known by the name of
“Dressing room of the Queen”, where according to the legend Queen Dona
Juana, “la Loca” (The Mad One), spent her days looking out over the
roads, in the grip of melancholy and waiting for her husband Felipe “el
hermoso” (the Handsome One) to appear, he who was at the root of her
afflictions.
Castillo de
Cuellar
Built in the 15th Century by D. Beltrán de la Cueva, favourite of King
Henry IV, and first Duke of Alburquerque. It was finished by his
descendants in the 16th Century, being still property of the Dukes of
Alburquerque, it lodges the Archive of their House, as well as a Public
Secondary School and cultural celebrations.
Madrid
The Royal Palace
The Royal
Palace is on the site where once stood the Alcazar of Madrid, the
"famous castle" built at the end of the 9th century, during the reign of
Mohammed I, Emir of Cordoba, as a key position for the defense of these
territories situated to the north of Toledo. The fortress, rebuilt in
the 14th century, acquired the character of a royal residence with the
work undertaken by John II, particularly the chapel, consecrated in
1434, and the great "rich hall". It was in the 16th century that Charles
V and Philip II rebuilt it as a Royal Palace, so that in 1561 the
Alcazar became the permanent residence of the Kings, and the "villa" or
town of Madrid which arose under the protection of its castle became the
Court of the Spanish Monarchy. A guided tour of the palace is possible
and is well worth the money. See our review of the tour.
Castillo de Villaviciosa
This castle looks out over the valley of the Guadarrama, very close to
Madrid and it was built around the original fortress by the architect
Juan de Herrera in the 16th century.It is rectangular , has four towers
at the corners, which are very strong, one of which being square, while
the others are cube-shaped. The outside walls are made of masonry while
the inside one is made of granite. The whole complex is structurally
very clear and easy to follow which is a characteristic of the famous
architect who designed it.The castle which reached its maximum splendour
during the 18th century as a royal residence is famous because it was
there where Don Manuel Godoy the so-called Prince of Peace sought
refuge. This outstanding figure was immortalized by Goya in several
paintings.
Navarra
Castillo de Olite
Of all the Navarrese castles, this is one, which lies 43km from
Pamplona, has weathered the passing of time and the battles of man
better than any other. Although it was restored in modern times, there
are still many of its large towers and walls that survive and form one
of the most extensive and picturesque complexes of Spanish military
architecture. The characteristic complexity of its plan has no equal
among the other buildings of its type according to those who have
studied the monument it cannot be attributed to works that were added in
the course of time, but everything was part of the initial plan, and
thus an obviously preconceived idea at diversity. Navarre at the time
when the castle was built in Olite (in the 15th century) was an
independent kingdom which more than any other woke the greed of the
kings in the surrounding countries and of the great lords. Therefore its
distrustful monarchs sought refuge in building underground passages to
escape from possible treason and unexpected attacks. This is the reason
for the underground passages, the isolated towers, the galleries with
hidden exits and the secret doors. On the outside all this turned
perforce into something of completely irregular shape.
Balearic Islands
Castillo de Bellver
This castle is one of Palma's great landmarks. The name in Catalan means
'castle with a fine view'. Begun in 1309 by Jaume II, and built by Pere
Salvá, it is the only castle in Spain that is totally round in its
design. It is arranged around a central courtyard on two levels. Four
round towers mark the compass points. The castle was originally used as
a summer residence by Mallorcan kings. It then became a political
prison. It now houses a museum and is open to the public for a small
admission charge.
