Marquis de los Vélez Castle

Marquis de los Vélez Castle lies in the center of the town of Cuevas del Almanzora. The first fortification at this site was probably an Arab defensive watchtower, dating back to the late 13th or early 14th century.

The castle was built in the first half of the 16th century by Don Pedro Fajardo y Chacón, 1st Marquess of Los Vélez. Shortly before he also built Vélez-Blanco Castle, in which he resided, and around the same time Mula Castle in Murcia.

The castle has an irregular rectangular layout and inside its walls are a former Palace of the Marquis and a keep. This keep probably incorporated the older Arab tower.

Inside there is also a Casa de la Tercia, which is a fortified warehouse where taxes were collected and stored. This warehouse was built in the 18th century in neoclassical style. Later it was also used as a prison.

The castle houses today the Museo Antonio Manuel Campoy and one of Andalucía's premier modern art collections. Amassed by the celebrated Spanish art critic, this fascinating selection of paintings and sculpture includes works by the likes of Picasso, Miró and Tàpies.

Also of note is the gallery of Goya lithographs and the small archaeology museum devoted to the El Argar Bronze Age culture.

References:

• castles.nl
• Lonely Planet

Address

Plaza la Libertad s/n, Cuevas del Almanzora, Spain

Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain