Frias Castle, Frías, Spain

Frias castle origins date back to the 9th century, when Alfonso VIII repopulated the valley to reinforce the border between Castile and Navarre. The historic quarter preserves its medieval atmosphere, and urban layout.

On the tallest, most rugged end of a hill, the castle of the Duke of Frías stands, with its beautiful and well-kept mullioned windows, and 13th-century Romanesque capitals. In the city centre we must point out the church of San Vicente, whose Romanesque main front was taken to New York after the tower fell in 1904, and the convent of Santa María de Vadillo, founded at the beginning of the 13th century.

Near the town, crossing the Ebro river, we see a gorgeous medieval bridge, with a defence tower that dates from the 14th century.

References:

spain.info

User Reviews

Robert Walton (5 months ago)
It is an excellent place to visit on your way south from Bilboa. Quiet roads and very light traffic. A historical castle built circa 850 ish, built on top of a rocky outcrop. You can see for miles.

Motorhome Quest (6 months ago)
It's €2 per adult to enter, so you know it's mostly ruins. There are towers you can climb, but ultimately, it's the views that are impressive. Combine the castle with a visit to the church and a walk around the city (smallest city in Spain according to the information board), and it is worth a visit. Streets are steep and cobblestones.

Hans Janssen (6 months ago)
Nice place to visit. Tickets are € 2, it's worth it.

Adrian Gray (2 years ago)
Historic town on a hill overlooking the Ebro. Nice to walk around before or after the tourist buses have come or gone! Then go for a swim in the Ebro by the medieval bridge.

Nanita (2 years ago)
Road-trip: Castilla y León, Frias - for a nominal fee of a few euros you can enter the grounds of the castle ruins in Frias, walk along the walls and climb up the tower where you’ll find postcard views of the historic medieval town’s tile roofs. Tickets to enter can be purchased at the tourist office a few minutes walk from the castle ground’s entrance (very friendly tourist office employee). Also, informational markers describing the history are located throughout the property. Note: There are several steep steps and stairs to climb for the best views.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Zvonimir Hrvoj

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus

The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.

The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.

The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.

Frias Castle

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Historic Site of the week

Church of St Donatus