Landmark castle in Spain. Peñafiel Castle - Castillo de Peñafiel, Valladolid, Castile and Leon. Alcazar of Segovia, Segovia, Castile and Leon

In most cases, the castles of Spain were not intended for beauty, but for the sake of protecting their own lands. They are powerful and sometimes frightening structures. Sometimes royalty lived in them, sometimes prisoners were kept in them, but most often the military were located here.

Today, the castles of Spain are a special attraction of the country, through which you can get acquainted with the medieval power of Castile.

(Total 10 photos)

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1. Lorca Castle

Located in the province of Murcia, Lorca Castle was designed as a defensive fortress. And very well designed, considering that it never fell to the attackers. The castle was built on the site of a Muslim citadel, on a high hill. Today Lorca is important cultural center, known as "Fortress of the Sun". A wide variety of events are organized here, most often musical.

2. Coca Castle

This fortification is unique. It has only three walls, and the fourth side is protected by a natural barrier - an insurmountable hill. The castle was built in the 15th century by Christians, but under the influence of Moorish architecture. Coca is open to the public and can be visited on a day trip to Segovia, in organized groups.

3. La Motta Castle

This reconstructed fortification dates back to the 11th century. For a long time, the kings of Castile and Aragon disputed its dominion over the Medina del Campo region, and in the 15th century the castle finally became Castilian. At one time it was a prison where such legendary figures as Hernando Pizarro and Cesare Borgia were kept.

4. Bellver Castle

Tourists who want to experience Bellver Castle should reach the island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain. Its walls, main building and towers have a round shape, unusual for such huge structures. For a long time Bellver was used as a political prison, and now it houses a history museum. The castle, surrounded by forests, hosts numerous events and is considered the symbol of the city of Palma de Mallorca.

5. Castle of Manzanares el Real

This well-preserved castle, located near Madrid, is also known as the Castle of De los Mendoza because it was the residence of this family for a long time. Built entirely of granite, the fortification is a good example of Spanish military architecture and today houses an interesting museum.

6. Alcazaba de Almeria Castle

Located in the south of Spain, the fortification occupies a huge area with houses and shops. Built by Muslims in the 10th century and later converted by Christians, the castle is famous as the filming location for Conan the Barbarian and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

7. Penafiel Castle

The castle is located in the province of Valladolid and resembles a ship with tall 30-meter towers. It was built between the 9th and 15th centuries and today contains unique museum guilt. Peñafiel is especially impressive at night when it is completely illuminated.

8. Olite Castle

Also known as the Palacio Real de Olite, the castle provides an opportunity to experience another Spanish culture, that of Navarre, in the north of the country. It was built on ancient Roman ruins using various architectural styles, with towers, courtyards, gardens.

9. Alcazar de Segovia Castle

Unlike other Spanish castles, Alcazar de Segovia amazes with its beauty and sophistication. Numerous princesses lived here, including Isabella the First, who became Queen of Spain in 1474. Currently, you can visit a museum here, where paintings and a rich military arsenal are exhibited.

10. Alhambra Castle

Tourists who only have time to visit one castle in Spain should choose the Alhambra fortification in Granada. Nothing compares to this ancient fortress, which is also called the Red Castle. The Moorish architecture of the castle is charming, especially since it has been perfectly preserved. Getting here is not so easy; you will have to book tickets in advance.

Belmonte (Castillo de Belmonte) — medieval castle Spain, located on a hilltop in the town of the same name, 100 km southeast of Madrid and 3 hours by car from resort towns Costa Blanca. Since the 15th century, Belmonte Castle has played an important role in the history of Spain, and in our time it annually becomes an arena for a young, but at the same time ancient sport - medieval knightly battles.

History of the medieval castle of Belmonte

The uniqueness and value of the Spanish medieval castle of Belmontk is that it has been preserved almost unchanged since its construction in the second half of the 15th century by Don Juan Pacheco, the first Count of Villena. The construction of the castle, which began in 1457 and continued until 1475, was intended to build a well-fortified fortress on the strategic road leading from northeast Spain to Madrid and Toledo, the then capital of the kingdom.

Subsequently, frequent internecine wars shook The Iberian Peninsula in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially the War of the Spanish Succession, during which the famous castle was destroyed, led to the partial destruction of the castle. And the era of the Napoleonic wars at the beginning of the 19th century practically reduced Belmonte Castle to a state of ruins.

But in the second half of the 19th century, a lucky star rose over this castle in Spain. The heiress of the Viyena family, Eugenie de Montijo, married the French Emperor Napoleon III. Fascinated by the beauty of the medieval ruins, she zealously set about restoring the castle.

During the restoration process, which lasted from 1857 to 1870, the castle acquired almost its original appearance. The builders were so careful in the restoration that even the stone for the walls was carefully taken from the paved patio. The interior decoration, however, was made in accordance with the trends of its time:

But, as you know, the life of monarchs is short-lived, and their reign is even shorter. In 1870, France finally abandoned monarchical rule. The deposed Empress Eugenia de Montijo was forced to stop the restoration of the Bnlmonte Castle, in which more than 1.5 million pesetas had already been invested, a huge amount of money for that time.

For the next few years, the medieval castle building was used as a monastery by the French Dominicans, until finally the grandnephew of the Empress, the Duke of Peñaranda, completed the restoration. True, the suffering of the castle did not end there. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Belmonte city prison managed to visit here, then an academy for youth, and only by decree of June 3, 1931, Belmonte Castle became part of cultural heritage Spain and found himself under state protection.

The perfectly preserved walls of Belmonte Castle have repeatedly attracted filmmakers from Spain and other countries. Many scenes of Paul Verhoeven's famous blockbuster "Flesh and Blood" starring Rutger Haier were filmed within the walls of this medieval castle.

Interestingly, this medieval castle is still the property of the house of the Dukes of Peñaranda, descendants of Empress Eugenie’s sister, Maria Francisca. As a result of the cooperation of the owners, local authorities Belmonte and the Ministry of Development in 2010, Belmonte Castle was completely restored and opened its doors to tourists (some work continues now, but this does not interfere with the tour):

Inner gate of Belmonte Castle on the day of medieval battles

Belmonte Castle was built in the 15th century, a time when the harsh asceticism of the Middle Ages had already given way to the joyful times of the Renaissance. Therefore, on the one hand, it is characterized by powerful defensive structures around (by this time artillery had already appeared and the castle walls were built taking into account possible bombing), and on the other side there were spacious, luxuriously furnished and cozy interior rooms. As a result, Belmonte can rightfully be called a fortress-palace. There are also powerful defensive structures, but there is also a luxurious baroque courtyard:

The peculiarity of this medieval castle is the triple ring of fortress walls. The first is directly the mighty walls of the palace itself. The second is fortified defensive towers, also connected by a series of walls (they are slightly lower and separated from the castle itself by a narrow passage):

And finally, the third row of walls going down the slope of the hill on which the castle is located, to the town of Belmonte itself:

The stadium where medieval battles were held. In the background is the third row of fortress walls, descending down to the city

Tour of the Spanish Belmonte Castle

When visiting Belmonte Castle, you can explore the courtyard and most of the palace premises.

In one of the halls a short film is shown about the history of this medieval castle and its inhabitants. To accompany visitors, audio guides are provided (there is no Russian language, however - English, German, French and, of course, Spanish).

In some of the castle premises, the interiors of the 15th century are recreated, in others - more modern furnishings from the time of the French Empress Eugenie de Montijo.

The most convenient way to get to Belmonte Castle from Madrid is along one of the two highways A3 (free) or AP36 (toll) leading to the southeast. The castle is located approximately halfway between these routes, an hour's drive from the capital of Spain.
If you are vacationing at one of the Costa Blanca resorts, the journey will take much longer, at least 3-3.5 hours. At the same time, from Denia it is closer to go through Valencia and then along the A3 motorway, and from Calpe and Benidorm it is more convenient through Alicante along the A31 to Albacete and then along the AR36 until the turn to Belmonte.

The castle is open in summer time(from March to October) from 10.00 before 18.30 with a lunch break from 14.00 to 15.30

From June to September the castle is open in the evening until 20.30 .

In winter (November - February) - 11.00 — 14.00 on work days, 10.30 — 18.30 on Saturdays and Sundays, also with a break from 14.00 to 15.30

Monday is a day off all year except August.

Entrance fee for adults - 8 Euro

for children under 15 years old - 4 Euro

For more complete information, you can visit the Belmonte Castle website.

The town of Belmonte itself is quite small, but you can also find several nice places in it:

If you decide to spend the night, it is better to book a hotel in advance. There are only two hotels on Booking.com. I can also recommend an excellent new guest house, where we ourselves stayed during our visit to the castle. The view of the castle is simply excellent, plus there is a patio and even a small pool. Here is the link .

Medieval knightly battles at Belmonte Castle

And one more detail that makes a visit to the medieval Belmonte Castle even more attractive. Some recent years annual championships in medieval knightly battles are held here. This sport, recreated by genuine enthusiasts of the Middle Ages, is very spectacular. Weapons, armor, clothing - everything is recreated with great care, and the participants themselves fight in earnest. True, before the start there is a mandatory announcement that this is a sport, not a war, and all participants are friends and in no case try to cause serious injury to each other.

True, when you watch this spectacle from the side, blows with swords and axes look quite serious.

Teams from different regions Spain - Catalonia, Valencia, Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia. There are both individual championships and team battles in the 4 vs 4 format. Official fights take place from May to December once a month on weekends. But in the spring you can also look at this interesting spectacle, the official training days in 2015:

The next championship is expected to start in May and June.

And here is a link to a short video on YouTube dedicated to medieval knightly battles in Belmont.

In conclusion, a few more photos of Belmonte Castle and the surrounding area windmills, with whom Don Quixote himself fought at one time (the famous “Don Quixote trail” runs through Belmonte).

From Caceres to Girona through Valladolid and Leon - amazing architectural and historical pearls, legendary castles that have been preserved for centuries, are scattered throughout Spain. Perhaps in order to take us to the world of fairy tales, knightly tournaments, endless battles and sieges, the world of noble kings, brave caballeros and beautiful ladies. We have selected some of the most beautiful fortresses Spain, open to the public, which can immerse you in the real Middle Ages.

In 1020, the king of Navarre, Sancho the Great, founded this fortress, whose monastery church, dedicated to St. Peter (San Pedro), is considered a pearl of Romanesque architecture. Its excellent preservation contributed to the appearance of the fortress in many Hollywood films. Everything in this castle - halls, chambers, royal towers and the inner (armory) courtyard - preserves the spirit of the Middle Ages.

Currently, a museum is located within the walls of this castle. But throughout its history it performed various functions: it was a fortress, royal palace, a prison, an artillery center and a military academy. The Alcazar in Segovia is considered one of the most important palatial castles in Spain. It is built in the form of a peculiar giant ship, the bow of which seems to cut the waves, leaving behind the provincial capital - the city of Segovia. In the Middle Ages, the alcazar was one of the favorite residences of the kings of Castile, especially Alfonso X, due to its proximity to hunting grounds.

This luxurious castle, dating back to the 15th century, has a triangular courtyard, which is extremely rare and unique to Scottish castles. It has been open to the public since 2010, and its rooms tell the history of the fortress, including its extensive film career. It was here that Sophia Loren and Charlton Heston transformed into Doña Jimena and Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar from the blockbuster “El Cid”.

The castle, located in a fortification that served as protection against Mediterranean pirates, is a unique example of medieval fortification on the Catalan coast. The structure of its walls, topped by seven towers, its internal structures, arched vaults and numerous passages in the Vila Velha fortress, certainly deserve to climb to the very top - for an overview of the beautiful surroundings.

In the 11th century, the castle became the residence of the Dukes of Cardona, also known as the “rich lords of salt.” The majesty of the gigantic structure is enhanced by its location on top of a hill dominating the area. Being within the walls of the castle, it is easy to feel like a part of that legendary era, when sieges and battles for power were widespread activities. Currently, the castle has been turned into a premium national tourist hotel.

Main feature This castle, located just 3 kilometers from the city of Palma de Mallorca, is its rounded shape. Its courtyards and towers that make up architectural ensemble fortresses also have a rounded shape, which is quite a rare phenomenon in European castle architecture. Currently, the fortress serves as a city museum, which is certainly worth a visit, as is the wonderful Pine forest, surrounding the castle.

Conceived as a palace for the kings of Navarre, the castle experienced its heyday in the 15th century during the reign of Charles III the Noble. When you walk through its many halls, your imagination itself takes you to those epic times when every room of the palace was filled with luxury and splendor. The outside of the castle is as beautiful as the inside, and its royal galleries are a must-see.

Built in the 15th century, this huge castle rises on one of the bends of the Voltoya River, which made it easier for its builders to construct a protective moat. Unlike most fortresses in the country, a location on a hill was not chosen for its construction. The castle in Coca is considered one of the best examples of the Gothic-Mudéjar style in Spain, surprising visitors with every element. It is worth noting the magnificent courtyard and, of course, observation deck, which offers breathtaking views of the town of Coca and the surrounding pine forests.

The Castle of Morella rises majestically above the castle of the same name locality from the 13th century. The Arabs were the first to settle in these places, and only then the Christians, so in the architecture of the fortress we can observe a mixture of different styles. At one time, the castle was considered one of the most important fortresses in the Mediterranean, dominating the area as far as the eye can see. Today, in addition to enjoying the picturesque interiors of the castle and natural landscapes, you can climb spiral staircase to the location of the church choir - the choir, and also listen to the original organ, made at the beginning of the 18th century.

Located in Medina del Campo, this castle has undergone a long restoration process. The main tower, protecting the entrance to the courtyard, has been preserved in excellent condition, although the past centuries have left deep marks on it from artillery shells. The defensive moat surrounding the castle’s perimeter also looks impressive.

This castle has perfectly preserved towers. Especially good main tower, which offers an unforgettable view of the Santillana reservoir. Behind its fortress walls hides a beautiful courtyard with porticoes (covered galleries on columns), as well as a Gothic gallery, considered one of the wonders of Spanish military architecture.

The castle is of Muslim origin and dates back to 760, although it has been rebuilt and restored several times. At its foot is a small village and the Guadalquivir River flows. The castle looks like fairytale giant, guarding the peace of the area, and from the battlements of its fortress walls a unique panorama of the plain of Cordoba, lost beyond the horizon, opens.

The history of the construction of this architectural monument is of particular interest. In 1178, the city of Ponferrada came under the protection of the Knights Templar, who decided to expand the fortress located on the top of the hill. The coats of arms and heraldic signs placed on the walls and gates of the fortress tell us about the various stages of construction and expansion.

Situated on the Cabeza de Zorro (Fox Head) hill, this majestic fortress began to be built in the 9th century on the site of an ancient Arab citadel. Built entirely of durable granite, which abounds here, the fortress has an impressive main gate, guarded by two defensive towers, which are connected by a horseshoe-shaped arch, which is characteristic of Arab architecture.

The main function of the structure was to protect the Duero line from attacks by the Moors during the Reconquista. Its “ship” shape is determined by the terrain, since it is located on a narrow elongated hill at the confluence of the Duero and Duraton rivers. Currently, it houses the provincial wine museum with exhibition halls, tasting rooms and wine cellars.

Another very beautiful castle, located in the Basque Country, located on the territory of the picturesque Urdaibai nature reserve, is the Arteaga Castle. Built back in the 13th century, it, like Butron, was significantly rebuilt in the 19th century. The reconstruction was carried out by order of Napoleon III and his wife Eugenia Montijo, but the imperial couple never lived in the castle. No ghosts were seen here, but a luxury hotel doesn’t need them. Now the castle houses a hotel of the famous French chain Relais & Chateaux.

Even now on the weathered stone facade impregnable castle In Hondarribia, traces of past battles and sieges are visible. His glass window eyes have seen many glory-hungry warriors who, at best, left with nothing, and at worst, met their death here. Construction of the castle began on the orders of King Sancho II of Navarre in the 10th century, and Emperor Charles V turned it into a royal palace. In addition to the aforementioned emperor, the Spanish king Philip II and his third wife Elizabeth of Valois, Philip IV, stayed here. After a long restoration, the castle has been home to a hotel of the national Parador chain since 1968.

Clavijo Castle

Now let's leave the Basque Country and head to the cheerful and wine-filled Rioja. But behind the prosperous present lies a turbulent, heroic, and sometimes tragic past. Dilapidated castle in the Rioja village of Clavijo – legendary place. One of the most important battles of the Reconquista took place here in 884. According to legend, St. James appeared to the leader of the Christian troops, King Ramiro I of Asturias, in a dream and said that he would help defeat the Moors in the upcoming battle. During the battle, as promised, the apostle appeared before the army riding a white horse and the outnumbered enemy was naturally defeated. Thus, St. James received the nickname “Mavro-Fighter” (Spanish: Matamoros) and became the patron of the Reconquista, and the Battle of Clavijo went down in history. The legend popularized the Saint to maintain morale in the struggle for the liberation of Spanish lands, which subsequently played an important role in the development of the pilgrimage route to his relics.

La Mota Castle, like many similar buildings, has served different functions throughout history: a fortification, an armory, a prison, a symbol of power, and finally. Excellently preserved medieval fortress located in Medina del Campo in the province of Valladolid. Sometimes La Mota is called " women's castle“and there are more than enough reasons for this. Here, at one time, Blanca Bourbon, the official wife of Pedro I the Cruel, was detained (although he later renamed himself the Just, for history he remained the Cruel). Joanna the Mad spent 48 hours behind bars here, because she wanted to leave Castile at all costs and follow her flighty husband to the Netherlands, and her crowned mother was strongly against it. During Franco's time, the castle housed a women's educational institution. About the healing effect of these walls on male power local residents They even made obscene jokes, but let’s not talk about that. It is also worth mentioning another important historical prisoner of the fortress - Cesare Borgia. He became one of the few who managed to escape from there.

Zaragoza boasts one of the best preserved castles from the Moorish period. The Aljaferia fortress was built in the second half of the 11th century. In 1492, the northern wing of the fortress was converted into the palace of the Catholic kings. Despite its turbulent heroic past, the castle is perfectly preserved and today attracts many tourists. It is curious that Aljaferia also became famous to a large extent thanks to the Spanish writer Antonio Garcia Gutierrez, who wrote the drama “Il Trovatore” in 1836, and the famous Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, who created the opera of the same name in 1853. Thus, one of the locations of the opera was Aljaferia; the oldest building of the fortress (9th century) from the second half of the 19th century began to be called the Troubadour Tower.

There are a great many castles in Spain, and the north of the country is also not deprived in this regard. Here we briefly talked about only some of the most interesting ones. Pyrenalis Atlantic can not only organize excursions, but also develop an individual one taking into account your wishes and capabilities.

From Caceres to Girona via Valladolid and Leon. Legendary castles that have been preserved for centuries are scattered throughout Spain. Perhaps in order to take us to the world of fairy tales, knightly tournaments, endless battles and sieges, the world of noble kings, brave caballeros and beautiful ladies. We have selected some of the most beautiful fortresses in Spain open to the public that will transport you back to the real Middle Ages.

Castle of Loarre (Huesca)

Alcazar in Segovia

Currently, a museum is located within the walls of this castle. But throughout its history it served various functions: it was a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, an artillery center and a military academy. The Alcazar in Segovia is considered one of the most important palatial castles in Spain. It is built in the shape of a kind of giant ship, the bow of which seems to cut through the waves, leaving behind the provincial capital - the city of Segovia. In the Middle Ages, the alcazar was one of the favorite residences of the kings of Castile, especially Alfonso X, due to its proximity to hunting grounds.

Belmonte Castle (Cuenca)

This luxurious castle, dating back to the 15th century, has a triangular courtyard, which is extremely rare and characteristic only of Scottish castles. It has been open to the public since 2010, and its rooms tell the history of the fortress, including its extensive film career. It was here that Sophia Loren and Charlton Heston transformed into Doña Jimena and Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar from the blockbuster “El Cid”.

Castle in Tossa de Mar (Girona)

Cardona Castle (Barcelona)

In the 11th century, the castle became the residence of the Dukes of Cardona, also known as the “rich lords of salt.” The majesty of the gigantic structure is enhanced by its location on top of a hill dominating the area. Being within the walls of the castle, it is easy to feel like a part of that legendary era, when sieges and battles for power were widespread. Currently, the castle has been turned into a premium national tourist hotel.

Bellver Castle (Mallorca)

The main feature of this castle, located just 3 kilometers from the city of Palma de Mallorca, is its round shape. Its courtyards and towers, which make up the architectural ensemble of the fortress, also have a rounded shape, which is a rather rare phenomenon in European castle architecture. The fortress now serves as a city museum, which is certainly worth a visit, as is the wonderful pine forest that surrounds the castle.

Castle of Olite (Navarre)

Conceived as a palace for the kings of Navarre, the castle experienced its heyday in the 15th century during the reign of Charles III the Noble. When you walk through its many halls, your imagination takes you back to those epic times when every room of the palace was filled with luxury and splendor. The outside of the castle is as beautiful as the inside, and its royal galleries are a must-see.

Castle in Coca (Segovia)

Built in the 15th century, this huge castle rises on one of the bends of the Voltoya River, which made it easier for its builders to construct a protective moat. Unlike most fortresses in the country, a location on a hill was not chosen for its construction. The castle in Coca is considered one of the best examples of the Gothic-Mudéjar style in Spain, surprising visitors with every element. It is worth noting the magnificent courtyard and, of course, the observation deck, which offers breathtaking views of the town of Coca and the surrounding pine forests.

Castle of Morella (Castellon)

The Castle of Morella has stood majestically above the town of the same name since the 13th century. The Arabs were the first to settle in these places, and only then the Christians, so in the architecture of the fortress we can observe a mixture of different styles. At one time, the castle was considered one of the most important fortresses in the Mediterranean, dominating the area as far as the eye can see. Today, in addition to enjoying the picturesque interiors of the castle and natural landscapes, you can climb the spiral staircase to the location of the church choir - the choir, and also listen to the original organ, made at the beginning of the 18th century.

Castle of La Mota (Valladolid)

Castle of Manzanares el Real (Madrid)

This castle has perfectly preserved towers. Particularly beautiful is the main tower, which offers an unforgettable view of the Santillana Reservoir. Behind its fortress walls hides a beautiful courtyard with porticoes (covered galleries on columns), as well as a Gothic gallery, considered one of the wonders of Spanish military architecture.

Almodóvar del Rio Castle (Cordoba)

The castle is of Muslim origin and dates back to 760, although it has been rebuilt and restored several times. At its foot is a village and the Guadalquivir River flows. The castle looks like a fairy-tale giant guarding the peace of the area, and from the battlements of its fortress walls a unique panorama of the plain of Cordoba, lost beyond the horizon, opens.

Castle of Ponferrada (Leon)

Trujillo Castle (Caceres)

Situated on the Cabeza de Zorro (Fox Head) hill, this majestic fortress began to be built in the 9th century on the site of an ancient Arab citadel. Built entirely of durable granite, which abounds here, the fortress has a main gate guarded by two defensive towers, which are connected by a horseshoe-shaped arch, which is typical of Arab architecture.

Penafiel Castle (Valladolid)