Portillo Castle

Portillo, Spain

The Castillo de Portillo is a well-preserved medieval castle in Portillo; the earliest elements of its present construction date to the fifteenth century. The site has been fortified since the tenth century, when it is documented in connection with Moorish forays into the region, under Abd al-Rahman III. In the fourteenth century, and until the early fifteenth, it was in the possession of the family of Sandoval; in 1392 it was confiscated from Diego Gómez de Sandoval in the name of King Juan II of Castile, who granted it in 1438 to Ruy Díaz de Mendoza.

From 1448 to 1452, Portillo was occasionally held by Juan's favourite, Don Álvaro de Luna, although the fortress remained in royal hands. Don Álvaro, however, fell from favor, and was detained at Burgos, sent to Portillo until two months later he was tried at Valladolid, and subsequently beheaded in the main Plaza on 2 June 1453. In 1464 Enrique IV of Castile conferred it upon Alfonso, held in trust by Juan Pacheco, the prince's tutor, until his death (1474), though it had been ceded to Rodrigo Alfonso de Pimentel, whose heirs held it until the nineteenth century, when it passed to the family of Osuna.

As the history above indicates, Portilla is better known for the list of distinguished prisoners it has housed, than for being the site of battles or other events. Juan II of Castille was briefly imprisoned at Portillo in 1444 by the Conde de Castro, escaping by bribing one of his guardians. The chronicles also touch upon the fact that Don Enrique, brother of the admiral Don Fabrique y de Suero de Quiñones (who fought at Paso Honroso) was jailed here for conspiring against the crown.

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

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4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Manuel del Río (6 months ago)
A wonderful castle full of history and perfectly preserved. The well, more than 30 meters deep, is impressive and the only one in all of Spain that can be descended through stairs that connect with galleries. It is very worth it. Also the climb to the Torre del Homenaje where the vault room and its imposing roof are located from which you can see the entire town and its surroundings. The place also stands out for the cultural activities that take place in its Patio de Armas where dance, theater and music are programmed, filling its walls with life.
Jesus Angel Sanz Nuñez (7 months ago)
Nice castle, you can go down to the well. When you climb the keep you have spectacular views. Take a walk through the town. Buy buns and their slippers
L. (2 years ago)
Small but very pretty! The entrance costs €1 and there is no guided tour, one can move freely inside. You can go up to the keep (about 120 steps) and also go down to the well (about 130 steps) going through the 3 chambers until you reach it. It has a small museum where you can see on a small scale the weapons from the time of the castle (15th century) and also from previous centuries. Highly recommended!
Antonia Gastón (2 years ago)
Highly recommended. I advise you to go up to the keep, go down to the well and see the exhibition of the evolution of war devices. Entry and exhibition €1 per person
Antonia Núñez Delgado (4 years ago)
A beautiful setting for a concert that we came to see from alalumbre we loved it
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