Some of the world’s most iconic fairy-tale castles are here in Spain, along with the medieval citadel, the majestic palace that influenced Walt Disney’s vision of Cinderella’s castle, is here.
Most of Spain’s castles were constructed as royal palaces or military headquarters, resulting in beautiful and commanding forts. The designer pattern varies symbolically depending on the region and era.
Many of these fortresses have a combination of designs that reflect the changes and modifications made after subjugating rulers took over, encompassing the addition of churches to former Islamic architectures.
1. 12 Most Iconic Castles in Spain
1.1. Alcázar de Segovia
First on the list of popular castles in Spain is Alcazar de Segovia, once a medieval fortress. Squat on the rocky lean of a hill that omits Segovia, the Alcázar was created to deliver as a fortress and a royal family residence.
It is most extensively known as the castle that sways the idea of Cinderella’s fairytale Castle built at Walt Disney World.
Architectural components, like its plentiful conical ceilings and minaret towers, have developed into the model for the consummate fairy-tale castle.
The fortress was first built during the 12th century and set up as the mansion of King Alfonso VIII. It was rebuilt and bolstered over the centuries by successive rulers, including Isabela I, who was crowned here in 1474.
Among the castle’s most significant traits is the Torre de Juan (Tower of John II), which is the greatest sector of the castle. This rectangular column is adorned with a dozen exquisite turrets, you can enjoy stunning and all-encompassing views from its canopy.
1.2. The Alhambra in Granada
The Alhambra is one of the famous castles that acquired a number two position in the list of castles in Spain. The massive Alhambra fort protects the Granada and is the town’s crowning ornament with reddish walls.
Earlier, the site of a Roman citadel and, afterward, a ninth-century fortress, the Alhambra, as you witness it today, was initiated in earnest during the thirteenth century by Moorish Nasrid Sultans.
Just near the entryway to the structure but facade of the main walls lies the Generalife area, which was once delivered as the entertainment area for the sultans in the mansion.
The heart of the castle is home to the Palacios Nazaries (Nasrid Palaces) and the Palacio de Carlos V, a grand square of architecture with a portion of a circular lawn at its center. This structure now shacks the Museo de Alhambra and the Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum) and sundry temporary illustrations.
Visitors should buy their tickets before their visit to ensure access and plan to reach early to adore as much of the ancient site as they want.
1.3. Castillo de Coca
The third castle among the best is Castillo de Coca. Situated in the city of Coca in the Segovia area, it is a stunning Christian-era mansion featuring a tan slab exterior and numerous towers. Although constructed in the 15th century, the medieval fortress engineering echoes the ongoing fame of the Arabic Mudejar style.
The Moorish castle and its various crenelated battlements, with their sharp merlons, are more ornamental than practical, as this was constructed to be a showy habitat and not a military citadel. This is even more visible in the castle’s area on a low escarpment, with a 40-foot-deep moat as its primary safeguard from unauthorized access.
Today, the moat sits bare, circling the fort in an arrangement that reflects the blueprint of large circular towers at each nook and corner.
1.4. Castillo de Loarre
Castillo de Loarre stands fourth in the list of castles in Spain. Situated in northeastern Spain, about a few hours from Pamplona, Loarre citadel sits on a hill, glancing at the Pyrenees mountain village of Ayerbe.
It is discrete for its chain of barrel-shaped towers that seem to edge up the hill to the fort properly, the rest of defensive posts that once ranked guard along the fractional ruined outer block. These and the citadel’s main towers have notched-up parapets with rectangular merlon, similar to a storybook Gothic castle.
Designed as a combatant fortification and an imperial residence, this citadel is well-guarded by the limestone base that forms its groundwork support, barring sneak charges from an underground underpass. It was constructed in the late 11th century.
This is one of Spain’s few fortresses with no Moorish influence in its construction.
1.5. Olite Castle (Royal Palace of Olite)
Among the famous castles in Spain, Olite Castle is 5th in the list. The original category is recognized now as the Palacio Vieja (Old Palace), and the Palacio Nuevo (New Palace) was summated in the 14th century. Comprehensively, it is a symbol of predominantly Gothic architecture.
The palace was recognized for its lavish ornamentation and over-the-top components that were the urge and pride of the Kings of Navarre. Among the miracles that once filled the palace were wide-ranged hanging gardens, a space that showed exotic creatures, and an inside area that hosted jousting contests and bullfights.
This is one of those specific photogenic beautiful castles, thanks to its brick-and-stone surface and irregular blueprint. Capped towers, barriers, and keeps seem to have been arbitrarily put, but the disproportional sum up to the charm. Visitors can relish impressive views from the large flat ceilings, parapets, and towers.
1.6. Castel de Bellver
The sixth castle among the castles in Spain is Castle de Bellver. The Bellver Castle sits on a mountain just west of the harbor at Palma in Mallorca.
It was built by King James of Majorca between 1300 and 1311 as a mansion and fortification, protecting the monarch through several barricades until it fell in the 16th century. Today, it is known as a symbol of Palma.
This massive citadel was constructed with an authentic, unique design, with most of the structure consisting of an oblique building redolent of Rome’s Colosseum. The interior yard is expansive, encircled by two stories of arcaded balconies. Four circular towers support guards near the central castle, with the contour of the old moat chisel around them.
Once host to court appearances, the central yard is now used as a concert venue and center for cultural events. Guided tours of the fort are available, and it houses an excellent archival museum.
1.7. Peñafiel Castle
Peñafiel Castle is the seventh castle on Spain’s list of beautiful castles. Located in the district of Valladolid, Peñafiel Castle is an enforcing and beautiful sight atop a long ridge. When lit from beneath at night, the castle resembles an enormous ship due to its astonishing elongated shape.
The ancient fortress spans a length of 210 meters while only reaching 33 meters at its height, making the best use of the complete height of the rocky backbone.
Construction on the Peñafiel Castle began in the 10th century, with major interventions during the 14th and 15th centuries, including establishing the architectural style.
A wine museum now takes up one wing of the castle, and visitors can probe the other wing by a guided tour.
1.8. Castillo de La Mota
Castillo De La Mota is 8th on the list of the beauties of Spain. Perched on a man-made mountain overlooking the town of Medina del Campo in Spain’s Valladolid district, the original architecture was built during the 11th and 12th centuries, employing concrete with a slab façade.
The citadel’s most imposing part is the Torre del Homenaje (Homage Tower), an oval tower on the northeast edge of the inner section of the castle. It is capped by a crenellated keep and four lesser turrets. It is often called the Great Tower of Castillo de la Mota.
The castle can be toured on an easy day trip from Salamanca; advanced booking of citadel tours is recommended.
1.9. Alcazaba de Málaga
Alcazaba de Malaga is ranked 9th on the list of 12 castles in Spain. Situated on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on Spain’s southern coast, the Castle of Málaga and its immediate circumferential enclosure contain significant Roman, Arabic, and Rejuvenation sites.
A first-century Roman hall sits at the base of the Gibralfaro Hill mansion; just above this is the seminal Arab defence. A passageway associates this to additional fortifications and residential spaces that were added during the 11th century.
A series of formidable square turrets and parapets describe the defensive section of the citadel.
The castle’s interior features ornamental gates, patios designated for the backyard, orchards, a pool, three leading towers, imperial chambers, and the fort’s dungeons. The citadel has been restored and can be seen via a guided tour.
1.10. Castillo de Peñíscola (Peñíscola Castle)
Number 10 on the list of castles in Spain is Castillo de Peniscola. Located on the southeastern seashore halfway between Valencia and Tarragona, Peñíscola Citadel overlooks one of Spain’s lovely beach cities from 64 meters above sea level.
It is known for being constructed by the mysterious Knights Templar in the 14th century, and features carved stone blocks and barrel-vaulted rooms. Perhaps because of this substantial construction in one of these templar castles, very few modifications were made to the structure in the centuries afterward.
Today, large portions of the fort and grounds have been turned into a botanic garden full of indigenous trees and flowers. This is a lovely place to visit because of the gardens and the scenic views of the Mediterranean from an outlook perspective.
1.11. New Castle of Manzanares el Real
The New Castle of Manzanares el Real is Spain’s 11th out of 12 beautiful castles. Constructed exclusively of granite, the castle features a hexagonal major tower with four rounded towers. Visitors can visit the palace, which has six floors, numerous galleries, and towers which provide magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.
The Community of Madrid regulates the castle and houses an admirable museum dedicated to the history of Spanish citadels. This medieval castle is one of the most popular day trips from Madrid.
1.12. Castillo de Burgalimar (Burgalimar Castle)
The Moorish Burgalimar Fort is also known as Castillo Baños de la Encina, named for the city it watches over. It is the 12th monument in Spain’s castles, situated in northern Andalusia.
Built-in Built-the Moors was developed using rammed earth that was based on clay. It was over time by the Christian military in 1225. Much of the original design remains. However, structures were added in the following centuries.
Some of the most significant additions occurred in this castle, including the Christian Tower of Homage, one circular tower, and a Gothic keep, which was construed as one of the original towers.
As a fortification, this castle was among the toughest, with double walls and fifteen protected towers. The site was declared a National Historic Monument in 1931.
Wrapping Up
Spain is your perfect destination for viewing castles full of old and medieval castles. All the 12 castles in Spain were built as mansions for the royal residence or fortresses to act as barricades.
Since Spain has a mixture of old, modified, beautifully decorated, and well-maintained castles, you will have a splendid experience viewing these castles in Spain.
Last Updated on April 5, 2024 by Bhavesh_Dusane
