Castle of Castellar de la Frontera, Moorish castle in Castellar de la Frontera, Spain
The Castle of Castellar de la Frontera sits on a hilltop above the Guadarranque reservoir, ringed by sturdy stone walls and defensive towers. Within these fortifications lies a complete medieval village with narrow streets and traditional houses where people still live today.
The fortress was built during Islamic rule and served for centuries as a border stronghold between Christian and Muslim territories. After Christian conquest, it remained a strategic military post that shaped the region's development.
The castle displays elements from Islamic and Christian building periods side by side, showing how different communities shaped the place. The villagers who live here today use these medieval spaces as their homes and workshops, keeping the past alive through daily life.
The site is reached via the A-405 road from San Roque, with guided tours available year-round. Wear comfortable shoes as the village paths and stairs are steep and narrow in many places.
The village was deliberately repopulated, with residents choosing to move back and live inside the fully preserved medieval fortress. This decision turned it into a living monument rather than just an archaeological site.
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