Mombeltran Castle, Mombeltrán, Spain

There may have been earlier castles at this site, but the Mombeltran castle we see today was built by Don Beltrán de la Cueva, the first Duke of Alburquerque. He placed his coat of arms and those of his successive spouses above the entrance gate. This makes us believe that the construction of the castle took place between 1462 and 1474. The castle was donated to Don Beltrán by King Enrique IV, in 1461. Because there's architectural similarity between this castle and Belmonte Castle and Manzanares el Real Castle its architect probably has been Juan Guas. Although Mombeltrán Castle has a military and defensive appearance there are also many details of luxury for a palatial residence. Also in the 16th century the castle was modified for even more comfort.

Basically the castle is a square of rubblework and granite ashlar masonry with circular towers in the corners. The largest of those towers was the keep which has a central column in its interior on which the floors rest. Around the castle there is a second enclosure which closely follows the outlines of the inner one. This enclosure is equipped with a barbican.

Mombeltrán Castle lies on a beautiful spot, in the mountains of the Sierra de Gredos.

References:

castles.nl

User Reviews

Robby Reyes (2 years ago)
Beautiful and historic. I believe this castle once belonged to either the sister or the cousin of Catherine of Aragón. Recent restorations have made the area more accessible to people with special needs. You’ll find a beautiful park and a chapel directly adjacent. And if this spot couldn’t be any more beautiful, it sits atop a cliff over looking The Valley. Also just beneath the castle is a skate park and a basketball court…because why not have a skate park and a basketball court beneath a castle

Ryan Galea (2 years ago)
Beautiful setting!

ej rideout (3 years ago)
Beautiful location on way into Los Gredos

Marcos Lopez Cabeceira (4 years ago)
Very nice castle, around an easy access and a wonderful panoramic view on behind.

Pedro Falcon (4 years ago)
PROS: excellent historical building | well located | parking is available CONS: Visits to the castle are by appointment only.

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Sigmaringen Castle

Sigmaringen Castle was first mentioned in the year 1077 in the chronicles of Petershausen monastery. The oldest parts of the castle are concealed beneath the alterations made during the 17th and the 19th centuries. The secret of the earliest settlement built on this defendable rock will never be fully revealed: large-scale excavation work would be necessary, which the extensive land development renders impossible. Judging from the many Roman remains unearthed in the area around Sigmaringen, the 12th century keep known as the 'Roman Tower' could be traced back to a Roman predecessor.

The castle remains that have been preserved (gate, great hall and keep) date back to the Staufer period around 1200. The castle remains were integrated into subsequent buildings. The foundations of the castle buildings are to a large extent identical to the surrounding castle wall.

These remains give us a good idea of how the castle might have looked during the 12th century.

Mombeltran Castle

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