Villalonso Castle

Villalonso, Spain

Villalonso Castle is one of the best conserved castles in the province of Zamora. The castle is a typical and notable example of 15th-century architecture; its construction may be attributed to Juan de Ulloa and his wife María de Sarmiento, whose coats of arms can be seen above the entrance gate. It played an important role during the siege of the queen Isabel the Catholic on Toro during her war against Juan 'La Beltraneja' and during the comunero rebelion against Carlos V.

In 1235 there was an earlier fortification at this site belonging to the Order of Alcántara. During the wars of the Catholic Kings against the King of Portugal, Villalonso Castle, along with other castles in the area, was in the hands of Pedro de Avendaño, in the name of the Portuguese king. At that time the count of Marialba, having fled the town of Toro, sought refuge in the castle shortly before the conquest of this city by the Castilian forces. The castle also played a role, although of small importance, in the War of the Communities.

The castle consisted of two enclosures and a wide moat still visible although mostly covered up.The outside enclosure has not been preserved. The interior one has been partially preserves. It is square and has cubes in the corners and a Tower of Homage, also square, in the centre of one of the sides, topped with a beautiful running crenellation.

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Founded: 15th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in Spain

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Diego F.A. (18 months ago)
A beautiful medieval castle that stands out in the middle of the plain and next to the small town of Villalonso. I haven't seen it inside, but I think you can visit it. In any case, you can do a route through the castles and fortresses in the area, which are quite close to each other: Tiedra (almost next door); Urueña and its walls; Villagarcia de Campos; Torrelobaton; Fuensaldana...
Carlos Rodriguez (19 months ago)
The castle is private, you have to make an appointment if you want to see it and I don't know how many it will grant. On the outside, the truth is that it is very beautiful and is well preserved since it was restored. A good place to visit on this route of castles along with the stone one and some others in this area
N.A.M. (19 months ago)
Spectacular historical monument. And its owner very kind and friendly. Highly recommended visit.
J L Rodríguez (2 years ago)
Castle of Villalonso Events. Private property that can be visited for free from the outside. Castle completely restored from the outside (we did not see the interior because it was closed). It is made up of the four round towers on the corners and the homage tower, it also has some small watchtowers, at the entrance it has three coats of arms. It has a perimeter moat and remains of another outer defense wall with some outbuildings. We are grateful to its owner for restoring this jewel and for a telephone in case it is possible to visit its interior.
Casas Rurales Bierzo Alto (2 years ago)
El castillo de Villalonso esta situado cerca de la población del mismo nombre, en plena llanura castellana de la provincia de Zamora, cerca del límite con la provincia de Valladolid y en conexión con los castillos de Tiedra y Mota del Marqués. En 1235 pertenecía a la orden de Calatrava. En el siglo XV fue comprado por la familia Ulloa, Juan de Ulloa y su esposa María de Sarmiento, familia que defendió la causa portuguesa de Juana la Beltraneja contra los Reyes Católicos, por lo que perdió el castillo y varias de sus villas. Más tarde pasó al hijo de Juan de Ulloa que se alió con los comuneros y fue condenado a muerte por Carlos V, pero se libró mediante la entrega de una suma de dinero. Este castillo constituye un típico y notable ejemplar de castillo del siglo XV, cuya paternidad, a falta de mejores datos, puede atribuirse a Juan de Ulloa y a su esposa María de Sarmiento, cuyos escudos campean sobre la puerta de entrada. El castillo constaba de dos recintos y un ancho foso que, aunque bastante cegado, aún se aprecia. Del recinto exterior apenas quedan restos. El recinto interior, perfectamente conservado, es de planta rectangular, con tres cubos circulares en las esquinas y garitones a mitad del lienzo. En la esquina restante se encuentra su preciosa torre del homenaje rematada por una gran cornisa. Tuvo una barrera exterior con torres de planta poligonal. Desde la muralla se podía disparar con armas de fuego. El castillo se remata con una cornisa corrida de matacanes y un sólido almenado. La torre del homenaje es la parte más importante de la fortaleza. Se encuentra situada en el muro norte y se accede por el primer piso aunque también se puede subir por una escalera de mano hacia el segundo piso. Tiene planta cuadrada de grandes dimensiones que se encuentra rematada por una gran cornisa de matacanes. Conserva el almenado completo. Se encuentra construido con buenos sillares de piedra caliza perfectamente escuadrados. Sus lienzos carecen de vanos y sólo vemos alguna pequeña ventana exterior. Los cubos y lienzos se rematan con amplias almenas cuadradas con una saetera-barrera en cada una de ellas. Para romper la monotonía del conjunto, aparece un garitón a mitad del lienzo. Es de propiedad particular, de los hermanos Jesús y Elizabeth Cueto Vallejo, quienes lo adquirieron, el 27 de febrero de 1984, a la duquesa de Osuna, doña Angela María Téllez Girón.
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