Castillo

Andalucía


At the panoramic highest point of town, Montilla's once-mighty castle fell into ruin after King Fernando el Católico had its towers demolished in 1508. The huge building occupying the site today, the Alhorí, was built as a grain store in the 18th century. You can see archaeological remains of the castle in the grounds. Inside the Alhorí, a museum is being installed devoted to the Reconquista general Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba (1453–1515), 'El Gran Capitán', who was born in the castle.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Andalucía attractions

1. Bodegas Alvear

0.73 MILES

The most renowned of Montilla's winemakers and one of Spain's oldest, with a range of PX vintages. Located just south of Montilla's historic core. Tours…

2. Bodegas Pérez Barquero

1.09 MILES

The vast warehouses here are stacked high with oak barrels of highly acclaimed wines, with five wine tastings in an atmospheric former chapel. It's in the…

3. Bodegas Lagar Blanco

5.18 MILES

Owner Miguel Cruz gives excellent tours in English or Spanish at this scenic spot in the Sierra de Montilla, 10km east of town (€10 by taxi). You'll see…

4. Castillo de Baena

17.08 MILES

The heavily restored 15th- to 16th-century castle-palace sits right on top of the hill over which Baena spreads. Abandonment and the construction of water…

6. Museo del Olivar y el Aceite

17.23 MILES

Baena's olive-oil museum, in an old mill, features a traditional oil press in working order, and has displays on the many uses of olives and their oil.

7. Almazara Núñez de Prado

17.38 MILES

A good reason to come to Baena is to visit this working olive-oil mill, run by a family who own around 100,000 olive trees. Olives are hand-picked to…

8. Castillo de Zuheros

17.92 MILES

Set on a picturesque pinnacle, Zuheros' castle is of 9th-century Moorish origin, but most of what survives is Christian construction from the 13th and…