The medieval castles of the north of Spain are must-see castles, palaces and fortresses. Medieval belmonte castle in spain
Belmonte (Castillo de Belmonte)- a medieval castle in 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 nowadays it annually becomes an arena for a young, but at the same time, an ancient sport - medieval knightly fights.
History of the medieval castle of Belmonte
The uniqueness and value of Spanish medieval castle Belmonte 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 a strategic road leading from the north-east of Spain to Madrid and Toledo, the then capital of the kingdom.
Subsequently, the frequent internecine wars that shook the Iberian Peninsula in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially the War of the Spanish Succession, during which the famous 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 brought 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. Eugenia de Montijo, heiress of the Viyen family, married the French Emperor Napoleon III. Fascinated by the charm of medieval ruins, she diligently set about restoring the castle.
During the restoration process, which lasted from 1857 to 1870, the castle acquired almost its original appearance. The builders approached the restoration so carefully that even the stone for the walls was carefully taken from the paved patio. The interior decoration, however, was already made in accordance with the trends of its time:
But, as you know, the age of monarchs is short, and their dominion is even less. In 1870, France finally abandoned the monarchy. The deposed Empress Eugenie de Montijo was forced to stop the restoration of the Blemonte castle, which had already invested more than 1.5 million pesetas, a huge amount of money for that time.
For the next few years, the building of the medieval castle was used as a monastery by the French Dominicans, until, finally, the great-nephew 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 the youth academy, and only by decree of June 3, 1931, the Belmonte castle became part of cultural heritage Spain and was under the protection of the state.
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 Hyer 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 the sister of Empress Eugenia - 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 is still ongoing, but this does not interfere with the inspection):
The inner gate of the Belmonte castle on the day of the medieval battles
Belmonte Castle was built in the 15th century, a time when the harsh asceticism of the Middle Ages had already been replaced by 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 walls of the castle were being built taking into account possible bombardment), and on the other hand, spacious, luxuriously furnished and comfortable 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 in 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 a little lower and separated from the castle itself by a narrow passage):
And finally, the third row of walls descending down the slope of the hill on which the castle is located, to the very town of Belmonte:
The stadium where medieval battles are held. In the background, the third row of fortifications, descending down to the city
Inspection of the Spanish castle of Belmonte
When visiting Belmonte Castle, you can see the courtyard and most of the palace premises.
In one of the halls, a short film about the history of this medieval castle and its inhabitants is shown. As an accompaniment for visitors, audio guides are issued (although there is no Russian language - English, German, French and, of course, Spanish).
In some of the castle rooms, the interiors of the 15th century are recreated, in the other - 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 southeast motorways A3 (free) or AP36 (toll). The castle is located approximately in the middle between these routes, an hour's drive from the capital of Spain.
If you are relaxing in one of the resorts of the Costa Blanca, then the road 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 AP36 already before the turn at Belmonte.
The castle is open at 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 in the evening the castle is open 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 public holiday all year except August.
Admission fee for adults - 8 Euro
for children under 15 years old — 4 Euro
For more information, 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. I can also recommend an excellent new guest house, where we ourselves stayed when visiting the castle. The view from the windows to the castle is simply excellent, plus there is a patio and even a small pool. Here is the link .
Medieval knight fights at Belmonte Castle
And one more detail that makes visiting the medieval castle of Belmonte even more attractive. Some recent years annual championships in medieval knightly battles are held here. This sport, recreated by true enthusiasts of the Middle Ages, is very spectacular. Weapons, armor, clothes - everything is recreated with great care, and the participants themselves fight completely 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 inflict serious injury on 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 4v4 format. Official fights are held 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 windmills, with which Don Quixote himself fought at one time (the famous “Don Quixote trail” runs through Belmonte).
What could be more romantic medieval castles? But often they appeared not because of the need for beauty, but because of vital necessity. The same can be said about the appearance of castles in Spain. Today we will tell you about the most best castles Spain.
The history of the emergence of castles in Spain takes us back centuries, when most of the country's territory was owned by Arab conquerors who came here from the territories North Africa, in the eighth century. In order to give a worthy rebuff to the invaders and the massive introduction of Islam, the Christians of Spain were forced to build formidable defensive structures, in Spanish “castillos”, that is, “castles”. That is why, a feature of medieval Spanish castles is the combination of Christian and Islamic architectural techniques. Castles in Spain, most often symmetrical, with round towers, masonry, battlements. Another feature used in the construction of the best castles in Spain was the use of colored stone, with the help of which intricate patterns were created on the castle walls. A shield with the family coat of arms of the owner of the castle was hung over the main gate. During the Middle Ages, in the vastness of Spain, there were more than ten thousand castles, to this day, only two and a half thousand have survived, of which five hundred are in good condition, of which one hundred and sixty-five are open to tourists, some have been converted into hotels, some are privately owned. We will talk about the most beautiful Spanish castles below.
Alhambra castle one of the oldest Spanish palace complexes, in Moorish style. The Alhambra building stands on three hills, surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Andalusia region, near the city of Granada. A visit to the Alhambra Castle is the most popular tour among tourists who came to rest in this Spanish region. Translated from Arabic"Alhambra", meaning "red fortress", the castle was built in 1238. It was at this time, on Iberian Peninsula ended the struggle of Christians with the Arabs - the Reconquista. The construction of the Alhambra castle stretched over several centuries, so some parts of the building date back to the fourteenth century, according to the inscriptions on the walls. An interesting element of the building is the arch, according to the assurances of the researchers, the arches were erected to protect against the evil eye and evil spirits, according to local beliefs. The Alhambra Palace is decorated according to the traditions of Islam: since it prohibits depicting a person, animals, the patterns are made up of geometric elements, floral patterns, and Arabic calligraphy. In the recess located in the facade of the tower, there is a statue of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus. The most high tower in the Alhambra castle, has a height of forty-five meters, dozens of fountains and pools are scattered around the palace - typical details of Moorish architecture. The inner space is occupied by the throne room, where ambassadors used to be received. The throne of the former ruler of Granada stands directly opposite the entrance to this hall.
Alcazar castle- is a majestic medieval fortress on a rocky hill, near the confluence of the two rivers Eresma and Clamores. This beautiful architectural marvel is located in the Spanish city of Segovia. The uniqueness of the Alcazar castle in its strange defensive structure shape - it is similar to the cape of the ship. The castle was built in the twelfth century on the ruins of a Roman fortress. "Alcazar" means " royal residence". The features of the castle changed over time, in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, reconstruction was carried out here, some buildings were added. In 1862, in this beautiful castle in Spain, there was a major fire that destroyed the main part of the palace. The castle was restored for several decades. During the restoration period, it acquired romantic features. Its eastern tower, erected under John Paul II, was better fortified in order to be used as a prison. Despite everything, Alcazar Castle is very beautiful and loved by tourists.
Alfajeria Castle- was built in the eleventh century, the beautiful Spanish city of Zaragoza, which is located in the province of Aragon. The castle was built as the residence of the Banu Hud dynasty, but since 1118, Alfonso the First, the Christian king, came to power in Zaragoza, and Alfajeria Palace passed into his possession. At the end of the fifteenth century, the castle building was reconstructed, the next time it happened in the sixteenth century, when this architectural marvel became a military base. Difficult times have come for the brilliant building, a lot of damage was done during the siege of Zaragoza, during the Penisuelan War. The palace was restored only at the end of the twentieth century, and again became a priceless pearl of the Spanish Zaragoza. It now houses the regional parliament of Aragon. The oldest part of the palace is the miraculously preserved Troubadour tower - buildings of the eleventh century, in which there is only one door, to open it you need to climb numerous steps.
Belmonte Castle – medieval fortress in the city of Cuenca. The castle stands on the hill of San Cristobal, it is incredibly majestic and has an unusual shape - stars with six divergent rays, at the ends of which there are high round towers. Medieval castle-Fortress Belmonte - a popular place among tourists, due to its proximity to the Spanish capital - Madrid. The city of Cuenca belongs to autonomous region Castile-La Mancha, the distance to it from Madrid is one hundred and fifty kilometers. Belmonte Castle is the best gothic castle Spain, decorated with Arabic ornaments in the Mudéjar style. The castle was built in the twelfth century as a family mansion. But in the fourteenth century, it was rebuilt. The next stage of construction work took place in the middle of the fifteenth century. There is a document that tells about the construction magnificent palace on the hill of San Cristobal, at the expense of the marquises and vassals of Belmonte. In the nineteenth century, during the invasion of the French here, Belmonte Castle was a prison. Then passed into the possession of Eugenia Montijo, after the death of her husband - Napoleon III. She carried out restoration in the castle: a unique Gothic architecture, softened by Arabic motifs. Today, numerous travelers come to enjoy the indescribable beauty of this beautiful medieval castle. For seasoned travelers, its splendor is breathtaking: strong walls snake down the slope, wonderful outer gates of the castle in gothic style, through the second gate with opposite side, the castle is connected to the village. No less impressive palace interiors, decorated with beautiful arches, in the neo-gothic style popular in the nineteenth century.
Burgos castle- is a powerful medieval fortress located on the hill of San Miguel of the city of Burgos. The castle was erected on the old ruined fortifications in 884, during the Reconquista, it was called upon to play the role of a military fortification. But under King Alfonso the Eighth of Castile, construction work was carried out: additional fortification systems were erected, the castle was decorated with the Arabic Mudéjar style. For some time, Burgos Castle was used as a prison. But from the middle of the fifteenth century, it was remade into beautiful palace, with beautiful living quarters and a chapel. Unfortunately, in 1739 the palace was significantly damaged by a fire, during civil war he repeatedly fell into the epicenter of hostilities, because of which he was destroyed even more. And only at the end of the Second World War it was restored and reconstructed. Today, Burgos Castle is an imposing medieval building, with interesting museum.
Coca Castle- a beautiful building that combines elements of medieval architecture with the exoticism of artsy Arab palaces. The castle is located in the Spanish city of the same name, in the province of Segovia. The name of the city - "Coca", came from the Roman settlement, previously located here - "Kauka", by the way, it was here that the Emperor of Rome - Theodosius was born. Coca Castle was built at the end of the fifteenth century for the archbishop - Don Alonso de Fonseca, a man who loved luxury and comfort, but who had strong religious convictions and a huge influence on the Castilian king - Henry the Fourth. Coca Castle, due to the lack of cobblestones and stones nearby, was built from sand and reef. Despite the fact that the building was built for a Christian archbishop, Coca Castle is a typical representative of elegant Muslim architecture, it is luxurious and magnificent. Today there is a school of Coca, however, the castle is open to tourists.
Castle of Manzanares el Real- a well-preserved example of Spanish military architecture. This stone castle was built in the middle of the fifteenth century, in the city of Manzanares El Real, fifty kilometers from Madrid. This castle in Spain has another name - "Castle of Mendoza". Despite the sophistication of this Renaissance dwelling, decorated with additional Gothic elements, thanks to the material - stone, it is incredibly durable. The palace is square in shape, has towers in the corners: three of them are cylindrical, the fourth, which is the main one, is square. The castle walls reach a height of thirty meters; for centuries they have guarded priceless objects and things from different historical periods. Central courtyard - reflects the trends Arabic architecture: inside the castle is surrounded by beautiful corridors with graceful arches, in the Gothic style, but with Mudéjar features.
ponferrada castle – wonderful building, as if descended from the pages of a fairy tale from the Middle Ages, is located in the province of Leon, the city of El Bierzo. Ponferrada Castle was built on the site of a Roman fort and a Visigoth fortress, it was in the twelfth century. impregnable castle walls served as a powerful protection for Christian pilgrims traveling to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. The Knights Templar took part in the construction of the castle. According to ancient legend, when clearing the area for construction, they cut down the forest, and in the hollow of an old tree they found a statue of the Virgin de la Encina, which is why she became the patroness of the city of El Bierzo. Today, this statue can be seen in the Basilica of Santa Maria de la Encina. Since 1486, the castle became the property of the royal family, it was in the thick of the events of the Reconquista, then it was damaged by fire after it was set on fire by the French. At the end of the war for Spanish independence, the stones of the castle walls were slowly stolen by the peasants for their needs, the land was leased for grazing, and a football field was laid out nearby. Until 1924, the castle stood in ruins, until it was included in the list of national monuments of Spain, and they began to intensively restore it. This work continues to this day, every day returning this beautiful castle in Spain to its former splendor.
Castle of San Servando- was erected in 1088 by decree of King Alfonso the Sixth, as a military fortress near the Tagus River, which was supposed to protect the Alcantrar bridge leading to Toledo. The castle was erected on the site of an ancient Roman fortification, later a Visigothic church, then an Arab fortress. San Servando Castle has a rectangular shape, with cylindrical towers at its corners. IN south tower there are gates behind which stands the oval Tower of the Oath, with remote loopholes, at the top there are also loopholes between rectangular battlements covered with lead. The fortress is built of gray stone. since 1874 - the castle of San Servando - a national monument.
Javier Castle- a medieval fortress of the tenth century, located on a rocky hill, located in the northern part of Spain, in the province of Navarre, in the Basque Country. The castle is located just thirty kilometers from the Spanish city of Pamplona. The fortress was built by the Arab conquerors, but today there is not a trace left of the Arab architecture, as the building was reconstructed and rebuilt several times: in the eleventh century, the building was expanded and completed, as a result, it acquired the shape of a semicircle and two side towers. In 1519, a major uprising took place on the territory of the castle, and it was partially destroyed. On April 7, 1506, the founder of the Society of Jesus and the Jesuits, Saint Francis Xavier, today considered the heavenly patron of Navarre, was born in Javier Castle, a few years later, Javier Castle became popular place pilgrimages. The number of pilgrims only increased every year, because the famous pilgrimage route passed through this region. Since 1950 the castle has been restored and in 1986 it became a museum. Javier Castle boasts of having managed to keep the portal and defenses intact over the centuries. Above the main gate leading to the castle hangs the emblem of the Javier family. Of particular interest to tourists is the Church of Santo Cristo, located on the territory of the castle, with beautiful wood carvings and murals, including a wonderful image of Christ on the ceiling, and picturesque patterns "Dance of Death" on the walls of the chapel, which are considered the most valuable work of art in Spain and do not have analogues. In addition, connoisseurs of beauty admire the magnificent, priceless altar of the sixteenth century, made of alabaster. The castle contains six large paintings - works of art in the Baroque style, the brainchild of Godofredo Mayes. Also in the castle is a sculpture by Francesco Xavier, which was created in the year of the canonization of this saint - 1622. The castle is open to the public. In the room of St. Francis Xavier there is an exhibition of religious art, there are numerous historical documents, antiques, even... a collection of fourteenth-century Japanese kimonos.
Despite the fact that the “country of castles of Spain”, the region of Castile is considered, ancient fortresses are scattered throughout the country. A distinctive feature of Spanish castles is that they are completely devoid of palace coquettishness, characteristic, for example, of French castles, they are severe and imperturbable, being the embodiment of constant readiness for the struggle for independence. However, any spanish castle captivates with its majestic beauty, which gives its visitors the opportunity to touch the great past of this beautiful country.
Located in the province of Murcia, Lorca Castle was designed as a defensive fortress. And very well designed, given that he never fell under the power of the attackers. The castle was built on the site of the Muslim citadel, on a high hill. Today, Lorca is important cultural center, known as the "Fortress of the Sun". A wide variety of events are organized here, most often musical ones.
Coca Castle
This fortification is unique. It has only 3rd walls, and the 4th side is protected by a natural barrier - an impenetrable hill. The castle was built in the 15th century by Christians, but influenced by Moorish architecture. Coca is open to the public and can be visited on a day trip around Segovia, with organized groups.
La Motta Castle
This is a reconstructed fortification, its roots go back to the 11th century. Over time, the kings of Castile and Aragon contested dominion over it, to finally become Castilian in the 15th century and rule over the region of Medina del Campo. At one time it was a prison where such legendary figures as Hernando Pizarro and Cesare Borgia were kept.
Bellver Castle
Tourists who want to get to know Bellver Castle must reach 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 Belver was used as a political prison, and now it houses a history museum. Surrounded by forests, the castle is host to numerous activities and is considered a symbol of the city of Palma de Mallorca.
Castle of Manzanares el Real
This well-preserved castle, located near Madrid, is also known as the castle of De los Mendoza, because for a long time it was the residence of this family. Built entirely of granite, the fortification is a good example of Spanish military architecture and today houses an interesting museum.
Alcazaba de Almería castle
Located in the south of Spain, the fortification occupies a vast territory, with houses and shops. Built by Muslims in the 10th century and later converted by Christians, the castle is famous for being the filming location for the films Conan the Barbarian and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
Peñafiel Castle
The castle is located in the province of Valladolid and resembles a ship, with tall 30-meter towers. It was erected between the 9th and 15th centuries and today contains unique museum guilt. Penafiel is especially impressive at night when it is fully lit.
Olith Castle
Also known as the Palacio Real de Olit Castle, the castle provides an opportunity to get acquainted with another Spanish culture - Navarre, in the north of the country. It was built on Roman ancient ruins, using various architectural styles, with towers, courtyards, gardens.
Alcazar de Segovia castle
Unlike other Spanish castles, Alcazar de Segovia impresses with its beauty and sophistication. Numerous princesses lived here, including Isabella the First, who became Queen of Spain in 1474. Currently, here you can visit the museum, which exhibits paintings and a rich military arsenal.
Alhambra castle
Tourists who have time to visit only 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 superbly preserved. Getting here is not so easy, you have to book tickets in advance.
Scattered throughout Spain are many beautiful castles, which are the greatest treasure of the country and take the visitor deep into the centuries, when knights and troubadours lived on these lands. The castles of Spain are located, as a rule, on the tops of hills, thanks to which they give beautiful view to the neighborhood. Get ready to take a trip back in time! We start the review most beautiful castles in Spain!
1. Manzanares el Real Castle (Madrid)
It is one of the few examples of fifteenth century Castilian military architecture and was the seat of one of the most famous families Castile - Mendoza. Various restoration works allow us to enjoy the same image that this beautiful castle had during its abundance.
2. La Mota Castle (Valladolid)
La Mota can be regarded as the most impressive castle in Spain due to its sheer size. It is located in the city of Medina del Campo and its history is marked by a close relationship with the most famous Queen of Spain, Isabella, who spent most of her life in the Medina. It is especially interesting to visit favorite place in the castle is the Queen's Mirador. It is a 15th-century observation balcony covered with an impressive polychrome vault.
3. Almodovar Castle (Cordoba)
This is the best preserved castle in Andalusia. From here, from the top of the La Floresta hill, you can observe the most beautiful view of the Vega del Guadalquivir. Like any great castle, it has its own legend. It is said that Princess Zayda still roams its halls, waiting for her great love, Prince Al Mamun, who did not return to the fort due to his death during the Almoravid siege.
4. Santa Catalina (Jaén)
The views of the city of Jaén are perhaps the main attraction of this beautiful Spanish castle, whose history dates back to the 8th century. Today it is one of the main attractions of the city with a large historical and cultural significance. Until the 13th century, an Arab fortress stood here, which was conquered by Christians. Her remains are located next to the restored castle building, which has turned into a parador (a hotel in ancient building). It is open to tourists and offers a wonderful panorama.
5. Sigüenza Castle (Guadalajara)
Another beautiful castle in Spain, providing a luxurious opportunity to stay in one of its rooms. It was built in the twelfth century on the site of an Arab fortress, overlooking the city and washed by the river Henares. Staying here you can enjoy the incredible natural surroundings, where the natural Park with river and gorge.
6. Royal Palace of Olite (Navarre)
This masterpiece was built during the reign of Charles III and at that time was considered one of the most luxurious medieval castles in Europe. In fact, these are two palaces built side by side. One of them dates back to the XII-XIII centuries. With its preserved walls and towers today it has turned into a parador. The second castle, from the 14th-15th centuries, is regarded as the "New Palace" and was completely rebuilt in the 20th century.
7. Santuary Castle (Balearic Islands)
This is a true relic of the past, when fortresses were built on impregnable rocks. Its location on a rocky hill 400 meters high is the best vantage point of the Llevant region and the entire eastern coastline of the island of Mallorca, dotted with coves. This beautiful Spanish castle is so mysterious that there are countless legends and stories about it, and even lyrical works writers he inspired.
8. Coca Castle (Segovia)
This castle was built in the fifteenth century and its appearance makes a big impression on visitors. Some of the the best representatives Mudéjar and Renaissance art, which can still be seen today.
9. Peñafiel Castle (Valladolid)
Although the construction of this interesting castle Spain began in the tenth century, its current structure is largely due to the changes made during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The location of the castle on the top of a small hill allows you to enjoy its grandeur from afar. This impressive building has housed the Provincial Wine Museum since 1999, allowing visitors to learn not only about the monumental building, but also about the history and culture of wine in the area.
10. Guzmán el Bueno Castle (Cádiz)
Few people know that the city of Tarifa is not only a paradise for surfers, but also the owner of one of the best castles in Spain. It was built by the order of Caliph Abd ar-Rahman III in 960 to protect the most strategic point Strait of Gibraltar. Since then, the fortress has been the target of numerous enemies (Almohads, Christians and, later, pirates) and has retained its status as a fort.
11. Trujillo Castle (Caceres)
Trujillo is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in Spain. And this is thanks to its architectural heritage, which includes Renaissance palaces, churches and, of course, its well-preserved Moorish castle from the 9th-10th centuries.
12. Tossa de Mar Castle (Girona)
The castle in Tossa del Mar is a beautiful building from the Middle Ages. One location makes it a special place. It was built in the fourteenth century and served to protect the city from pirates and French troops fighting in the nineteenth century in the war of independence. Today the castle is in excellent condition. Since 1931 it has been declared national monument. There are three large cylindrical towers on the wall, and on top opens beautiful landscape on the bay of this unique city on the coast of Catalonia.
13. Belmonte Castle (Cuenca)
The city of Belmonte boasts a true treasure of the Renaissance - its castle. The original structure was medieval, but now its architecture has a more French feel to it. This a new style the castle was acquired thanks to Eugenie de Montijo, the Empress of France, who restored it in the nineteenth century.
14. Morella Castle (Castellón)
Every stone of Morella Castle has witnessed wars, legends and alliances. It is one of the most majestic castles in the Mediterranean and each of the civilizations that have passed through it (Romans, Muslims, Christians, etc.) have left their mark.
Most of Spanish castles were not built with the goal of creating a beautiful structure, although there are a couple of exceptions.
They are massive, solid and fearsome. They were created to withstand sieges from any attackers, from Moorish invaders to a king from a neighboring province. Sometimes kings lived there for short periods of time, but most often their guests were political prisoners, opponents of the reigning king.
By visiting any Spanish castles, you can get to know the military power of the Middle Ages.
Lorca Castle, which is located in the province of Murcia, was built as a defensive fortress. This point of view has worked well, it has never been attacked by invaders since its construction in the Middle Ages. It's funny that today one of the exhibitions of the castle is being stormed by visitors. The fact is that the castle is located on the site of the former Muslim citadel, and now it is the center of its heritage, known as the Fortress of the Sun, where various cultural events are offered to the attention of visitors. The castle and its exhibitions are located on large area, which creates certain obstacles for visitors in terms of mobility.
This castle is one of the most unusual castles in Spain: it has only three sides, as it is built into a hill that provides protection from invaders attacking from the rear. Also, this castle is unique in that its architecture was influenced by Moroccan, despite the fact that the castle was built in the middle of the 15th century by the Christians. Most of the interiors of Coca Castle were destroyed in the 20th century, but the exterior still retains the Moroccan style, such as turrets. Coca Castle can be reached from Segovia during the day, but the castle is only open for guided tours.
The beautiful Castle of La Mota is a reconstructed fortress dating back to the 11th century. The kings of Aragon and Castile fought over it for centuries, but since the 15th century it has been in the possession of Castile. The castle rises above the surrounding area, it is located on a hill near the Medina del Campo in the province of Vallodolid. In the old days, the castle could be entered through drawbridge. This medieval fortress has been reconstructed. One time it was good famous prison, in which Hernando Pizarro and Borgia Cesare were listed as prisoners.
To visit Bellver Castle, travelers must first get to Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain. This Castle is unusual not only among Spanish, but also among all European castles, as it has a round shape. Not only the wall around the castle is round, but the castle itself and its towers. James II, King of Mallorca built the castle in the 14th century. Later it was used for political prisoners - for a military prison, and today it is historical Museum. Surrounded by forests, the castle hosts unusual festivals and other cultural events, such as concerts, and has itself become a symbol of the city of Palma.
New castle of Manzanares el Real
The new castle of Manzanares el Real, one of the well-preserved castles in the area of Madrid, is a spectacular 15th century fortress. He is also famous for being depicted in a scene in the epic film El Cid. This castle is also known as Mendoza Castle because it is also presidential palace. Built entirely of granite, this six-story castle is a good example of Spanish military architecture. Today it is a museum of Spanish castles.
Alcazaba in Almeri
Located in southern Spain, the Alcazaba Castle is a fortress on a hill overlooking the city of Almería. The word "alcazaba" originates from the Arabic word meaning "fortifications" and this is what the Alcazaba castle in Almeria is. Outside the castle walls you can find houses and shops. The castle was originally built by Muslims in the 10th century and later Catholics contributed to its appearance. Movie buffs will recognize parts of the castle, especially if they've seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade or Conan the Barbarian.
Peñafell Castle is long, about 150 meters, located on a hill in the town of Peñafell in the province of Valladolid. Some compare the castle to a ship because of its length, given that its height is 30 meters. This fortress, built between the ninth and fifteenth centuries, lit up at night, has a very imposing appearance. Today, one wing of the castle is occupied by a wine museum, while the other can only be viewed with a guided tour.
Traveling to Olite Castle gives an insight into a different culture of royalty compared to that of the kingdom of Navarre in the north of the country. The castle, also known as the Olite Palace-Castle, was built on the Roman ruins of the first century a few centuries later. Various monarchs have been involved in the construction over the years, using different architectural styles with towers, courtyards and gardens. Now the castle is a dilapidated building, although the Spanish government has been restoring the castle since 1937.
Alcazar of Segovia
The Alcázar Castle in Segovia does not correspond to the type of most Spanish castles built as fortresses. The Alcazar Castle matches the fairy tale character of the castles of Europe and is said to be the inspiration for the Cinderella castle from the Walt Disney films. This castle stands on a hill, and it seems that this ship is sailing towards visitors. Kings lived in the castle, including Isabella I, who was crowned in it in 1474. Now the castle is a museum of paintings and heraldry.
Alhambra - the most spectacular castle in Spain
Travelers who can only visit one castle in Spain should give preference to the Alhambra in Granada.
This is the most famous building in Spain. There is nothing comparable to this ancient fortress with a name that can be translated from Arabic as "Red Castle". The stunning and intricate architectural details are a legacy of the culture of the Moroccans who have lived here for centuries. Since this place is so attractive, the number of visitors is limited and it is recommended to book tickets in advance.
And finally, here is a video about the most beautiful and spectacular castle Spain Castillo deLoarre:
Insurance
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