Castle of Jadraque

The Castle of Jadraque sits on a hillside commanding the Henares River valley in Guadalajara Province. The structure follows a rectangular layout with four round towers and one rectangular tower, all enclosed by a stone wall.

The site originated as an Islamic fortress from the 8th century but was acquired around 1469 by Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza. This high-ranking church official then transformed it into a palace-fortress incorporating Renaissance features.

The fortress displays a blend of Islamic foundations and later Renaissance additions that reflect the different periods of ownership across the centuries. You can still see these architectural layers today in the walls and towers of the structure.

The castle is located in the town of Jadraque and is well connected by bus and train services to other towns in the region. The best time to visit is outside the hot summer months when the grounds are more pleasant to explore.

The cardinal who acquired the fortress obtained it through an exchange with another owner, an unusual way to gain control of such an important residence. This story of negotiation and transformation reveals how power and influence in the Renaissance shaped control over such locations.