Castro Caldelas Castle, Castro Caldelas, Spain

The typical Galician noble fortress in Castro Caldelas with medieval origins has been splendidly conserved and restored and today functions as a library, cultural centre and exhibition venue.

The castle originally belonged to the House of the Counts of Lemos, and became part of the House of Alba in the 18th century. It was built in the 14th century as a fortress with a purely military function, and was renovated in the 16th century and converted into a palatial residence.Its floor plan is in the shape of an irregular polygon, as it adapts to the hill on which it stands. It comprises several parts or buildings, of which the rectangular keep and the clock tower are the oldest. Other surviving elements include the bailey, sections of the defensive wall, three square towers, the administrator's house, the palace (containing the library, a museum about the castle and other rooms), the interior sentry walk and the outer moat.

The location of the castle, on top of a mountain, also provides some panoramic views of the valleys below and it is easy to appreciate how impenetrable this town must have seemed to past aggressors.

You enter the castle (free of charge) through the main gateway and once inside you have unlimited access to all areas including the battlements.

References:

spain.info

User Reviews

Neil Matheson (16 months ago)
It's a good place to take visitors from other countries. Been here several times over the years. Access has improved!

howard mcfarland (3 years ago)
Small but historic site with nice grounds, small museum and incredible views from the ramparts. The entire area of the Ribeira Sacra is special.

Ray Tombo (3 years ago)
Very interesting history

sussex english (5 years ago)
Well worth the visit. Interesting poster boards and historical objects. Fantastic views from the towers

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Infomastern

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There is not much left of the original interior. The font is made of local red marble in the 13th century. The pulpit was made in Lübeck in 1684. There are 400 graves under the church floor.

Castro Caldelas Castle

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