Fuentidueña de Tajo Castle

Fuentidueña de Tajo, Spain

Fuentidueña  de Tajo Castle is a large, irregular building standing on a hill which dominates the Town and the Tagus River. It is believed to have been built during the 12th century and has been extended and rebuilt later on in the 14th century. It is related to the Kings, Alfonso VI and Alfonso VIII.

It still has a wall and part of the cylindrical towers on the sides. The two sections composing it are separated by an interior moat. It is still possible to see the Homage Tower opposite the Town.This castle was the Headquarters of the Kingdom in the time of Da Urraca, wife of Alfonso I the Warrior; legend has it that at night she used to walk through the hidden corridors to visit the Moors.

The provincial Governor, Pedro Manrique, was imprisoned in this Castle by order of Juan II. Álvaro de Luna, Marquis of Villena, was also made prisoner for his discrepancies with the Order of Santiago; he later became the proprietor of the Castle.

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Founded: 12th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

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4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Fco. Cecilia (12 months ago)
There is little left of the castle. Unfortunately, its dilapidated state does not allow us to appreciate its authentic dimensions, which would make it one of the largest and most unknown in the Community of Madrid. Little more than some walls and a tower that some call Doña Urraca or Piquillos tower remain, in an area just over a hundred meters long and half as wide. It was probably the place of the Knights of Santiago in the 12th century, later it belonged to the Encomienda del Tajo dependent on Uclés to monitor the passage of the river and the entire town at its feet. If you go to Fuentidueña you should come and go up to see the views from the viewpoint and what remains of the Castle, but from my point of view it is not worth a visit on purpose.
Mada Jurado (15 months ago)
I stopped to see the ruins of the castle since I was caught en route and it meant a tiny detour. I looked up something about his story on the internet and the truth is that it was promising. History links it to the Reconquista and the kings Alfonso VI and Alfonso VIII. The Castle had illustrious prisoners such as Doña Urraca, Pedro Manrique and Álvaro de Luna, Marquis of Villena. It's not that I know much more about them, but at least they sound familiar to me from having studied them at some point in school. The truth is that, as indicated on the internet, the castle is in ruins. If you are already in the town and want to go see it, it is not a bad walk. But in my opinion it is not worth the detour to the post, parking, going up the hill, etc. For those who don't have vertigo, there is a viewpoint next door with spectacular views. It made me so dizzy that I didn't even dare to take out the phone. But mine with vertigo is a different case...
Sergio “Assur94” (2 years ago)
The castle is in a ruined state, except for part of the keep and some walls.
Cervigon (2 years ago)
These ruins belong to the Piquillos Castle. It could have been built in the 12th century, but its reconstruction dates back to the 14th century. In the time of Doña Urraca, the wife of Alfonso I, this castle was the seat of her kingdom. It preserves an artificial moat, part of what must have been the keep, the barbican and remains of other towers. It is in a state of progressive ruin.
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