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Coria Castle was constructed by architect Juan Carrera, between 1473 and 1478, by order of García Álvarez de Toledo (died 1488), Duke of Alba and first Marquis of Coria. Located to the northwest of the Roman City Walls, this work of military engineering was constructed in place of another fortification occupied by the Knights Templar in the 12th century. It has an irregular pentagon layout, like a starling, which projects from the walled enclosure and was built with fine masonry of perfectly dressed and squared granite ashlars.
The Keep is completed by what is popularly known as Castillejo: a small crenellated structure within the city walls that is equipped with a bent entrance and a drawbridge. It was defended through a circular casemate tower and an extensive moat constructed by Tomás Bretón in 1473, which is partially visible today. Crowning the entire fortified complex is the continuous band of the cornice of balls or knobs placed in the blind arches over the corbels surrounding the entire perimeter of the battlements in the Late-Gothic or Elizabethan style.
Today, the interior of the Castle of the Dukes of Alba is not open to the public since it is private property, however, visitors can explore its surrounding area or exterior space.
References:The Gravensteen is a castle in Ghent originating from the Middle Ages. The name means 'castle of the counts' in Dutch. Arnulf I (918–965), Count of Flanders, was the first to fortify this place, building a medieval bastion on this high sand dune, naturally protected by the river Leie and its marshy banks. This bastion consisted of a central wooden building and several surrounding buildings, also in wood.
In the early 11th century, the wooden building was replaced by a stone residence, consisting of three large halls that made up three storeys, connected by a stone stairwell. The monumental stone staircase, the light openings, the fireplaces built into the walls and the latrines were signs of considerable luxury and comfort in those days. There was probably also a tower.