Villalonso Castle, Villalonso, Spain

Villalonso Castle is one of the best conserved castles in the province of Zamora. The castle is a typical and notable example of 15th-century architecture; its construction may be attributed to Juan de Ulloa and his wife María de Sarmiento, whose coats of arms can be seen above the entrance gate. It played an important role during the siege of the queen Isabel the Catholic on Toro during her war against Juan 'La Beltraneja' and during the comunero rebelion against Carlos V.

In 1235 there was an earlier fortification at this site belonging to the Order of Alcántara. During the wars of the Catholic Kings against the King of Portugal, Villalonso Castle, along with other castles in the area, was in the hands of Pedro de Avendaño, in the name of the Portuguese king. At that time the count of Marialba, having fled the town of Toro, sought refuge in the castle shortly before the conquest of this city by the Castilian forces. The castle also played a role, although of small importance, in the War of the Communities.

The castle consisted of two enclosures and a wide moat still visible although mostly covered up.The outside enclosure has not been preserved. The interior one has been partially preserves. It is square and has cubes in the corners and a Tower of Homage, also square, in the centre of one of the sides, topped with a beautiful running crenellation.

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User Reviews

Máximo Vega Álvarez (5 months ago)
Today, 11/3/2024, some friends, my wife and I went to visit the castle, the surprise was that it has not opened despite saying it was open on this site. We asked in the town and they told us that they do not usually open it except for weddings and events with large crowds. From what you can see, it was restored with public funds and once collected they do not fulfill what they promise, it is a legal deception to obtain aid and then they do not fulfill what they promise to the public. I can't give half a star because it's not possible, because of the castle and its periphery it deserves much more. The owners don't deserve anything at all.

Jordi bay (8 months ago)
A really nice castle. If you are in the area it is worth stopping to see it. In addition, I suggest looking for something about the history of the noble family that lived there, their conflicts with the King and the revolts that originated in the area.

ej rideout (2 years ago)
Couldn't get in. Seems private and used for events. Cool castle however

Diego F.A. (2 years ago)
A beautiful medieval castle that stands out in the middle of the plain and next to the small town of Villalonso. I haven't seen it inside, but I think you can visit it. In any case, you can do a route through the castles and fortresses in the area, which are quite close to each other: Tiedra (almost next door); Urueña and its walls; Villagarcia de Campos; Torrelobaton; Fuensaldana...

Carlos Rodriguez (2 years ago)
The castle is private, you have to make an appointment if you want to see it and I don't know how many it will grant. On the outside, the truth is that it is very beautiful and is well preserved since it was restored. A good place to visit on this route of castles along with the stone one and some others in this area

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The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

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