Castle sights in Spain
-
A
Alcázar
Rapunzel towers, turrets topped with slate witches' hats and a deep moat at its base make the Alcázar a prototype fairy-tale castle, so much so that its design inspired Walt Disney's vision of Sleeping Beauty's castle.
Fortified since Roman days, the site takes its name from the Arabic al-qasr (fortress). It was rebuilt and expanded in the 13th and 14th centuries, but the whole lot burned down in 1862. What you see today is an evocative, over-the-top reconstruction of the original. Highlights include the Sala de las Piñas, with its ceiling of 392 pineapple-shaped 'stalactites', and the Sala de Reyes, featuring a three-dimensional frieze of 52 sculptures of kings who…
reviewed
-
B
Alcazaba
At the top of the hill, Trujillo's castle of 10th-century Islamic origin (evident by the horseshoe arch just inside the main entrance), later strengthened by the Christians, is impressive although bare. Patrol the battlements for magnificent sweeping views. One tower contains the hermitage of Our Lady of the Victory, Trujillo's patron. Stick a 50-cent coin in a slot to see her spin around in her alcove.
reviewed
-
Castillo de Pedraza
At the far end of town stands the lonely Castillo de Pedraza, unusual for its intact outer wall.
reviewed
-
Castle
Alcalá del Júcar's landmark dating mostly from the 15th century, towers over the houses that spill down the steep bank of the river gorge.
reviewed
-
C
Castillo de Santa Bárbara
There are sweeping views over the city from this large 16th-century castle, which houses the Museo de la Ciudad de Alicante, a new museum recounting the history of the city. It’s a sweaty walk up the hill to the castle, but there’s a lift, reached by a footbridge opposite Playa del Postiguet, that rises through the bowels of the mountain to the summit. To return, it’s a pleasant, and much less sweaty, walk through Parque de la Ereta via Calle San Rafael to Plaza del Carmen.
reviewed
-
D
Casa de Botines
Antoni Gaudí's contribution to León's skyline is the castle-like neo-Gothic Casa de Botines (1893); the zany architect of Barcelona fame seems to have been subdued by more sober León.
reviewed
-
Castle
It looks north across the plains to the mighty Sierra de Gredos.
reviewed
-
Castillo de Calatrava
This magnificent castle-monastery complex looms high in the sky some 6km south of the town of Calzada de Calatrava, and 30km south of Almagro. A steep stony road takes you to the top, and breathtaking views, as well as the imposingly preserved fortress, are your reward. The complex was once a base of the medieval order of knights who controlled this frontier area during the Reconquista.
reviewed
-
Castle
This is the place for the novice windmill spotter, where you can get that classic shot of nine molinos de vientos (windmills) flanking Consuegra’s 12th-century castle. Consuegra once belonged to the Knights of Malta; a few rooms in the castle have been done up to give a good indication of how the knights would have lived.
reviewed
-
Castillo de Santa Bárbara
From this 16th-century castle there are sweeping views over the city. Inside is the Collección Capa, a permanent display of contemporary Spanish sculpture. A lift, reached by a footbridge opposite Playa del Postiguet, rises through the bowels of the mountain. It's a pleasant walk down through Parque de la Ereta via Calle San Rafael to Plaza del Carmen.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Castle
About 17km northeast of Mota del Cuervo, Belmonte has one of the better-preserved 15th-century Castilian castles. This is how castles should look, with turrets, largely intact walls and a commanding position over the village. The castle was once home to France’s Empress Eugénie after her husband, Napoleon III, lost the French throne in 1871.
reviewed
-
E
Castle
At the top of the hill, Trujillo’s castle of 10th-century Muslim origin (evident by the horseshoe-arch gateway just inside the main entrance) and later strengthened by the Christians, is impressive, although bare but for a lone fig tree. Patrol the battlements for magnificent 360-degree sweeping views. One of the towers contains the hermitage of Our Lady of the Victory, the patron saint of Trujillo.
reviewed
-
F
Trujillo's castle
At the top of the hill, Trujillo's castle, of 10th-century Muslim origin (evident by the horseshoe-arch gateway just inside the main entrance) and later strengthened by the Christians, is impressive, although bare, but for a lone fig tree. Patrol the battlements for magnificent 360-degree sweeping views. One of the towers contains the hermitage of Our Lady of the Victory, the patron saint of Trujillo.
reviewed
-
Castell de Bellver
Further south of the city, the circular Castell de Bellver is an unusual 14th-century castle (with a unique round tower) set atop a pleasant park. Parts of the castle are shut on Sunday. It is the stage for a summer classical music festival in July.
Constructed by King Jaume II of Mallorca between 1309 and 1311, the castle has been used more for defence and imprisonment purposes than as a royal residence.
reviewed
-
G
Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos
Built by Alfonso XI in the 14th century on the remains of Roman and Arab predecessors, the castle began life as a palace. It hosted both Fernando and Isabel, who made their first acquaintance with Columbus here in 1486. Its terraced gardens – full of fish ponds, fountains, orange trees, flowers and topiary – are a pleasure to stroll and a joy to behold from the tower.
A hall here displays some remarkable Roman mosaics, dug up from the Plaza de la Corredera in the 1950s. Most notable is a portrait of the mythical couple Polyphemus and Galatea, whose story was later retold by the Spanish poet Luis de Góngora.
reviewed
-
Coca Castle
A typically dusty, inward-looking Castilian village, 50km northwest of Segovia, Coca is presided over by a stunning all-brick castle, a virtuoso piece of Gothic-Mudéjar architecture.
reviewed
-
H
Castillo de Guzmán
Originally built in 960 on the orders of Cordoban caliph Abd ar-Rahman III, this fortress is named after the Reconquista hero Guzmán El Bueno. In 1294, when threatened with the death of his captured son unless he surrendered the castle to attacking Islamic forces, El Bueno threw down his own dagger for the deed to be done.
Guzmán’s descendants later became the Duques de Medina Sidonia, one of Spain’s most powerful families. You’ll need to buy tickets for the fortress at the tourist office.
reviewed
-
Alcázar
The obvious place to start a tour of old Jerez is the 11th- or 12th-century Almohad fortress, the Alcázar. Inside there's a beautiful mezquita (mosque), converted to a chapel by Alfonso X in 1264, an impressive set of BañosÁrabes (Arab Baths) and the 18th-century Palacio Villavicencio. In the palace's tower a camera obscura provides a live panorama of Jerez, with multilingual commentary. Sessions begin every half-hour until 30 minutes before closing time.
reviewed
-
I
Castillo de Burgos
Crowning the leafy hilltop Parque de Castillo are the massive fortifications of the rebuilt Castillo de Burgos. Dating from the 9th century, the castle has witnessed a turbulent history, suffering a fire in 1736 before finally being blown up by Napoleon's retreating troops in 1813. There's a small museum here covering the history of the town and, thanks to recent excavations, some of the original foundations of the castle are on view. Just south of the car park is a mirador (lookout), which offers terrific views over the town.
reviewed
-
J
Castillo de Gibralfaro
One remnant of Málaga’s Islamic past is the craggy ramparts of the Castillo de Gibralfaro, spectacularly located high on the hill overlooking the city. Built by Abd ar-Rahman I, the 8th-century Cordoban emir, and later rebuilt in the 14th century when Málaga was the main port for the emirate of Granada, the castle originally acted as a lighthouse and military barracks.
Nothing much is original in the castle’s interior, but the airy walkway around the ramparts affords the best views over Málaga. There is also a military museum, which includes a small scale model of the entire castle complex and the lower residence, the Alcazaba. The model clearly shows the…
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Castillo de Loarre
The evocative Castillo de Loarre broods above the southern plains across which Islamic raiders once rode. Raised in the 11th century by Sancho III of Navarra and Sancho Ramírez of Aragón, its resemblance to a crusader castle has considerable resonance with those times. There's a labyrinth of dungeons, tunnels and towers and two towers offering magnificent views.
reviewed
-
K
Alcazaba
No time to visit Granada’s Alhambra? Then Málaga’s Alcazaba can provide a taster. The entrance is next to the Roman ampitheatre, from where a meandering path climbs amid lush greenery: crimson bougainvillea, lofty palms, fragrant jasmine bushes and rows of orange trees. Extensively restored, this palace-fortress dates from the 11th-century Moorish period and the caliphal horseshoe arches, courtyards and bubbling fountains are evocative of this influential period in Málaga’s history.
Don’t miss the small archaeological museum located within the former servants’ quarters of the Nazari palace with its exhibits of Moorish ceramics and pottery.
reviewed
-
L
Alcázar
Rapunzel towers, turrets topped with slate witches’ hats and a deep moat at its base make the Alcázar a prototype fairy-tale castle, so much so that its design inspired Walt Disney’s vision of Sleeping Beauty’s castle. Fortified since Roman days, the site takes its name from the Arabic al-qasr (fortress). It was rebuilt and expanded in the 13th and 14th centuries, but the whole lot burned down in 1862. What you see today is an evocative, over-the-top reconstruction of the original.
Highlights include the Sala de las Piñas, with its ceiling of 392 pineapple-shaped ‘stalactites’, and the Sala de Reyes, featuring a three-dimensional frieze of 52 sculptures of kings…
reviewed
-
Alhambra
From outside, Alhambra's red fortress towers and imposing walls rise from woods of cypress and elm, with the Sierra Nevada forming a magnificent backdrop. Inside the marvellously decorated emirs' palace, the Nasrid Palace and the Generalife gardens, you're in for a treat. Water is an art form here and its sounds take you into another world. Book in advance.
The spell can be shattered by the average 6000 visitors who traipse through the site each day, so try to visit first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon, or treat yourself to a magical night visit to the Palacio Nazaríes.
The Alhambra has two outstanding sets of buildings, the Palacio Nazaríes and the…
reviewed
-
Toledo
Toledo is known as La Ciudad Imperial (the Imperial City) for a reason; this is Iberia's Rome with a cultural slug of mosques, synagogues, churches and museums. Toledo's labyrinthine narrow streets, plazas and inner patios are reminiscent of the medinas of Damascus and Cairo. Stay until dusk, if you can, when the streets take on a moody, other-worldly air.
The dominant Alcázar has been the scene of military battles from the Middle Ages right through to the 20th century. Other attractions include the city's two synagogues, the Iglesia de Santo Tomé (which contains El Greco's greatest masterpiece, The Burial of the Count of Orgaz) and the Museo de Santa Cruz.…
reviewed