Castle of the Marquises of the Vélez, Renaissance castle in Vélez-Blanco, Spain.
The Castle of the Marquises of the Vélez is a fortress set on a hilltop at approximately 1126 meters elevation, featuring a hexagonal design blended with Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements. The structure includes multiple towers and defensive walls that define its distinctive silhouette.
Pedro Fajardo commissioned construction between 1506 and 1515, building over an earlier Arab stronghold that had long dominated the region. The project marked a transition from medieval military architecture to new Renaissance design principles.
The marble courtyard was built by Italian artisans and represents the mastery of early Renaissance craftsmanship that became influential in Spain during this period.
It is best to visit on weekdays when crowds are smaller, as the castle sits on a hilltop requiring some uphill walking to reach. Comfortable shoes are recommended due to the sloping terrain and uneven ground in the surrounding area.
The marble courtyard was disassembled and transported to New York, where it now sits in the Metropolitan Museum of Art as a singular example of Renaissance craftsmanship. Visitors today walk through the empty spaces where this ornate structure once stood, creating a poignant reminder of lost grandeur.
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