Medieval castles in Castile and León

Monasterio de Rodilla Castle

The castle of Monasterio de Rodilla was built around 884 AD by Count Diego Porcelos to protect the new territories to be settled. The castle is documented for the first time in 1011. From 1035-1054 the castle was owned by Navarra.
Founded: 9th century AD | Location: Monasterio de Rodilla, Spain

Torregalindo Castle Ruins

Torregalindo castle was mentioned first time in 11th centur when Kingdom of Castile populated the area. Today it lies in ruins above the village.
Founded: 11th century | Location: Torregalindo, Spain

Corullón Castle

Corullón Castle dates from 15th century. Its tower was copied to build a similar one in Tuscany (Italy). Today, the tower and the surrounding ruins are still preserved. The best place which has been preserved is the Tower of Homage. On its entry point, two armorial bearings mark both houses, Osorio´s House and Valcarce´s House. It is a squared tower with three storeys, separated by imposts, battlements, modillions, me ...
Founded: 15th century | Location: Corullón, Spain

Villagarcía de Campos Castle

Villagarcía de Campos Castle was first time mentioned in 1336. In 1810 the castle was ravaged by the French Army during the War of Independence.
Founded: 14th century | Location: Villagarcía de Campos, Spain

Serón de Nágima Castle

The Raya or frontier between the kingdoms of Castile and Aragón was fortified with a system of castles and walled-cities that were useful during the several conflicts that took place in the late Middle Ages. The Serón de Nágima castle defended the communication road between the axis of the Jalón river valley, which flows into the Ebro, and Duero valley. Its uniqueness stems from the fact that it is one of the few for ...
Founded: 14th century | Location: Serón de Nágima, Spain

Cabrejas del Pinar Castle

The walled medieval town of Cabrejas del Pinar was the leader of its Community of Burgs and Land and there are some traces left of the walled enclosure and fortress that protected the locals. The castle was built in stone on top of a high rock possibly between the 13th and 14th century. Some of the walls, doors and the keep are still visible which helps understand how the fortress’ layout once was. The quadrangular kee ...
Founded: 13th century | Location: Cabrejas del Pinar, Spain

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Monte d'Accoddi

Monte d"Accoddi is a Neolithic archaeological site in northern Sardinia, located in the territory of Sassari. The site consists of a massive raised stone platform thought to have been an altar. It was constructed by the Ozieri culture or earlier, with the oldest parts dated to around 4,000–3,650 BC.

The site was discovered in 1954 in a field owned by the Segni family. No chambers or entrances to the mound have been found, leading to the presumption it was an altar, a temple or a step pyramid. It may have also served an observational function, as its square plan is coordinated with the cardinal points of the compass.

The initial Ozieri structure was abandoned or destroyed around 3000 BC, with traces of fire found in the archeological evidence. Around 2800 BC the remains of the original structure were completely covered with a layered mixture of earth and stone, and large blocks of limestone were then applied to establish a second platform, truncated by a step pyramid (36 m × 29 m, about 10 m in height), accessible by means of a second ramp, 42 m long, built over the older one. This second temple resembles contemporary Mesopotamian ziggurats, and is attributed to the Abealzu-Filigosa culture.

Archeological excavations from the chalcolithic Abealzu-Filigosa layers indicate the Monte d"Accoddi was used for animal sacrifice, with the remains of sheep, cattle, and swine recovered in near equal proportions. It is among the earliest known sacrificial sites in Western Europe.

The site appears to have been abandoned again around 1800 BC, at the onset of the Nuragic age.

The monument was partially reconstructed during the 1980s. It is open to the public and accessible by the old route of SS131 highway, near the hamlet of Ottava. It is 14,9 km from Sassari and 45 km from Alghero. There is no public transportation to the site. The opening times vary throughout the year.