Vélez-Blanco Castle, Vélez-Blanco, Spain

According to an inscription in the courtyard, the Vélez-Blanco Castle was built between 1506 and 1515 after Fajardo received the lordship of the town from Ferdinand II and Isabella, took up residence there and was given the title of Marqués (1507) by Ferdinand, who was then regent. The heraldry of the principal areas of the castle, including the coat of arms of his second wife, Mencía de la Cueva, belongs to this period.

The castle is situated on a hill overlooking the town. An important aspect of this castle is its huge tower, Torre del Homenaje, which is over 20 m high, an emblematic element of the castle and a symbol of the power over the dominion. The stone structure, had wooden stairs, which could be removed in case of danger isolating the upper level as a last defense. There is a vast number of decorative elements topping its battlements. The building has been restored in stages during the second half of the 20th century, including the floors of the towers.

The fortified areas of the castle, particularly the defences and the Late Gothic east gallery of the courtyard, are examples of late 15th-century Spanish art.

User Reviews

Paul Anderson (2 years ago)
Free entry to a small (inside) but large castle in the Italian style. Stunning. Great spot for amazing photos and drone shots... lovely staff very helpful and a wonderful village.. very highly recommended..

P (2 years ago)
Beautiful Castle in a beautiful bucolic setting. The village is also quite attractive too. Nearby just outside town there is some delightful Cave Art. You'll need to check in first to be able to see it with the guide.... The scenery and mountains here make for a truly wonderful panoramic setting. A visit to both Velez Blanco and nearby Velez Rubio is highly recommended...... Lovely place. Entry to the Castle is free. The marble interior of a large part of the Castle was sold in the early 1900's and was put back together in the Metropolitan museum in New York. Now that's a strange occurrence and one that should provide enough impetus for a visit to see this unusual and historic building....

Sonia Martin (2 years ago)
I visited on a Tuesday, The castle was closed. Lovely area stunning views of the church and surrounding areas from the castle. I visited early June very quiet. Street parking is free and parking up by the castle. Definitely worth a look

Malcolm The Millipeed (2 years ago)
Wow! Amazing setting. Great castle to visit. Entry FREE! Stunning views. Looks like the kind of castle you would expect to have seen in Gamd of Thrones, especially the prommonade balcony. Privileged to have seen the eagles soaring past whilst we were there!

Caroline B (3 years ago)
Lovely castle and free to visit. In need of restoration, it’s a shame to see a wonderful old building be left this way. Nothing to tell you what anything is and the only information at the bottom was in Spanish. Needs to be a bit more English friendly. Worth a visit though

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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.

Vélez-Blanco Castle

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