Albanchez de Mágina Castle

Albanchez de Mágina, Spain

Albanchez de Mágina Castle stands above the town, on the first crag in Sierra de los Castillejos Mountains.

Its origin is presumably Christian. It was built probably at the beginning of the 14th century, as an alternative to another Moorish castle, of which only a few remains are preserved. It was built with rammed earth on the lower part, nearer the town.

The castle was connected to the Order of Saint James and commissioned by Bedmar and Albanchez. The alcazarejo is preserved, built in masonry. It is made up of two small groups, which look impressive from the outside and because of the walls on the crag. It did not, however, have much room to hold troops and equipment inside. The castle also used to have a small triangular parade ground, with a crenellated parapet and arrow-slit windows, a square terrace with a wall tower to defend over the precipice, protection walls – which are practically destroyed today – and exterior rounded corners, typical of a castle of the Order of Calatrava.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: 14th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

Rating

4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Ricardo Osés (3 years ago)
The climb is tough but the views are worth it. From the beginning of the path, any local will tell you where it starts, there are a good twenty minutes of ascent up quite high masonry steps. Once at the top, one wonders how even a small guardhouse could stay there.
Luz Comboni (5 years ago)
Beautiful views but strenuous hike. The effort needed to climb the 400 steps to the very top of the castle is rewarded by the fantastic bird's eye view views.
Vjb (5 years ago)
Expectacular
Carl Cameron-Day (6 years ago)
Great climb and views at the top.
Laurent Brack (6 years ago)
No tourists in this small village. Super hospitable people and a wonderful view from the castle. Free access
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Trencín Castle

Trenčín Castle is relatively large renovated castle, towering on a steep limestone cliff directly above the city of Trenčín. It is a dominant feature not only of Trenčín, but also of the entire Považie region. The castle is a national monument.

History of the castle cliff dates back to the Roman Empire, what is proved by the inscription on the castle cliff proclaiming the victory of Roman legion against Germans in the year 179.

Today’s castle was probably built on the hill-fort. The first proven building on the hill was the Great Moravian rotunda from the 9th century and later there was a stone residential tower, which served to protect the Kingdom of Hungary and the western border. In the late 13th century the castle became a property of Palatine Matúš Csák, who became Mr. of Váh and Tatras.

Matúš Csák of Trenčín built a tower, still known as Matthew’s, which is a dominant determinant of the whole building.