I'm planning a trip for late April-May '10 (about 20 days in country), and would like to put a few castles on the itinerary. I'll have a car, so will be able to alter the schedule easily.

Thus, I'm wondering if anyone has recommendations of great castles to visit. I've been to Belmonte, Segovia, Granada, and such. More interested in militarized sites as opposed to reconstructed or fantasy type structures.

Gracias.

44

I actually live on the Somosierra route of the castles, but as I'm not really a fan I have no personal recommendations.

The web site is in Spanish, but you should be able to understand the map.

http://www.turismomadrid.es/ESPA/RUTA/pagina/RUTACastillosFortalezasAtalayas.htm

As you mention Belmonte castle, here's a photo to brighten up the thread !

Jamongris,

Thanks for the photo and the link. I'm working this into the itinerary. Also began the research. I highly recommend H.V. Morton's A Stranger in Spain. He has his point of view but his descriptions (even though they were made circa 1955) are spot on.

Again, thanks.

44

admiral44,
A few years ago I traveled to Figueres for the day with a group of students. Besides visiting the Dali Museum there, we also took a tour of Castell de Sant Ferran (Castillo de San Fernando). It is still owned by the Spanish government, and it has some pretty spectacular views. I think it might the type of castle/fortress you are looking for.

You can read about the castle on the website of the Consorcio Castillo de San Fernando . And, you can learn about how to visit the castle on the Les Fortaleses Catalanes website (sorry -- only in Castellano, Catalan, and French).

I noticed a link on that page that might be interesting to you on your search for other castles. It shows different forts in Catalonia .

I would recommend going to Aragón to see the Castillo de Loarre. Read about it here: Castillos de Aragón. I went there a few years ago and found it to be fascinating. The entire landscape is breathtaking.

Without a doubt, the castle at Granadillos is worth seeing. Very small but one of the few I've seen that let you have free reign inside, and from the top you get a great view. Also, the village there is well worth a visit.

Again, thanks for the tips. The Castillo de Loarre is exactly the type of thing I had in mind. With your suggestions, I'm on the right path.

44

Just as a side note: The movie Kingdom of Heaven with Liam Neeson and Orlando Bloom was filmed at the Castillo de Loarre

In that youtube video you can get a good view of it! It is definitely worth your time. Enjoy!

Great link, Jamongris!
Last summer I visited Manzanares el real? just outside Madrid at the mouth of the Manzanares river (correct me if that is incorrect)...It was lovely and my cunado told me that it is used in many movies because the condition of it is excellent.

Yes that's correct laduque. It's one of the best preserved castles in Spain and of course, as it's on my doorstep I've never been round it.

When I feel I have to get some exercise in, I load the mountain bike into the car, drive to Soto and you can cycle to Manzanares on what I suppose are the equivalent of bridle paths (Vias Pecuarias). There's one that goes up the hill and overlooks the castle and the river. The views are beautiful.

In front of it, next to a petrol station, there's a tiny restaurant which specialises in Cocido Madrileño. You have to pre book it a day in advance though.