Montemolín Castle, Montemolín, Spain

Montemolín was inhabited long before our era and received the influence of Lusitanians, Beturians, Celts and the Turduli. During the Arab domination, it was also an important enclave strategically located on the border between Andalusia and Extremadura, with a powerful fortress for defense.

Although there is no record of the beginning of the fortress's construction, it may have been erected around the 12th century. The earliest known information about the fortress dates back to the year 1246 when the castle was reconquered and handed over to the Military Order of Santiago.

The walls of the fortified enclosure cover a significant length, surrounding the hill's summit that dominates the town and offers a clear view over long distances. These walls are made of rammed earth with attached prismatic towers that punctuate the perimeter. The shape is similar to a rectangle about 130 meters long and 50 meters wide, adapted to the natural defensive terrain. The foundations are sometimes made of masonry. In the southeastern flank, the remains of a barbican to protect the main gate are preserved, along with two attached towers, which were typical features of Arab fortresses. The entrance arch, made of brick and over three meters thick, is framed between two octagonal towers, projecting outward and chamfered or octagonal in profile, following a design tradition borrowed from Roman and Byzantine constructions. From the main enclosure, only remnants of seven solid corner towers remain, two of which are covered, and the other five are freestanding. There are two major towers: the Miramontes Tower and the Homage Tower.

During the possession of the castle by the Order of Santiago, very few maintenance and restoration works were carried out.

User Reviews

Miguel Ángel Lozano (2 years ago)
You have to ask for the key at the "center bar" of the town. We call the town hall first. (Be careful that it closes from 4 to 6) Access to the castle is easy. The fortress is beautiful, somewhat neglected and with some windows broken for a long time.

Andrés Navarro (2 years ago)
The castle is controversial, since from a distance it looks beautiful and imposing, but when you get closer and analyze it you realize that it is in poor condition, the restored parts are poorly maintained, and the information signs are in very poor condition. The castle door was closed, so it cannot be accessed, and it seems that it has been like this for quite some time. It's a shame that this type of historically important structure is not given the importance it deserves.

Antonia Velasco Linares (2 years ago)
The views and the surroundings are beautiful but inside it is very dilapidated and the information panels are very deteriorated. The town is very beautiful with two monumental churches. As a curiosity, you have to ask for the keys to the castle in the bars or the town hall.

julio gonzalez tena (3 years ago)
We diverted our route to go see it and after going up to the castle we found the door closed. In Google kid that is permanently open. It must be wonderful but unfortunately we could not enjoy it. A big disappointment.

Pedro Corga (3 years ago)
Hello, apparently you can request the key at the Town Hall and you can enter, we found out after going, a shame. I liked what I saw of the Castle and of the town too.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Following Hadrian

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