Juan Ramón Alves F. (20 months ago)
Alcuetas Castle.
Alcuetas, a small town 5 kilometers from Valencia de Don Juan. Its name of Arabic origin means the hills, the little hills. Its location, although on a small hill, is on the plain, was not the most suitable for defense, so it depended exclusively on its defensive elements that were carefully built. Strong and robust, part of its majestic two-meter walls still stand today. This fact reveals to us that it was built in that place, because there must have been an indication of a driven stone or tower, where the inhabitants in the Chalcolithic period must have divided up the territory. This is a clear example of tradition since this place was used in ancient times as a reference to divide territories. The place is located in the middle of a cattle route towards Extremadura, so it must have been very busy and the territorial indicators must have been visible. Perhaps originally a circular tower was built as a ceremonial place, oriented towards the sunrise and sunset, since it is a solana or solanilla.
At the time of construction in the E. M. it had a square enclosure with three cylindrical cubes on two of its sides with three floors of which some of its beams, its mechinales and hidden loopholes remain. In the central part of its tower, the openings of its floors can be seen. It was all built of pebbles with mortar, all local materials.
Attached to the Castle was the palace, whom it was supposed to protect from whom today there is nothing left. Its lordship at the time of its greatest splendor was held by Doña María Cabeza de Vaca, married to Don Álvaro Henríquez de Acuña, count of Valencia de Don Juan, during the time of Charles the emperor.
This castle, from the 15th-16th century, later belonged to the Marquis of Villasinda, who had his great palace on Calle Ancha de León, a descendant branch of the Quiñones.
Currently renovated and partially rehabilitated, it is an example of what the town can achieve when it wants to keep alive the memory and heritage of its origins. An example of wanting is power!!!!
MGB00 (2 years ago)
It is an iconic and essential place for the town of Alcuetas, renovations have been carried out but from my point of view more work is needed, no matter how small it is, it is still a jewel of the national historical heritage.
Javier Alegre (2 years ago)
Recently renovated, it has recovered part of its original charm.
Juan Entrenas (Juan Entrenas Arquitecto) (2 years ago)
The best fortified place for the defense of its neighbors over their identity. An unusual example of community. Please visit it.
rafael bravo ballina (3 years ago)
Está parcialmente restaurado, se puede visitar gratuitamente todos los días, queda una torre intacta con el techo,