Estrella Castle, Medieval castle in Montiel, Spain
Estrella Castle is a medieval stronghold on elevated ground in Montiel featuring both outer and inner defensive structures built from thick stone walls and towers. The site contains multiple layers of fortifications that show how different rulers modified and reinforced it over time.
The stronghold was built in the 9th century by Arab rulers to guard a key trade route into southern Spain. It was later rebuilt by Christian kings and became the site of a major power struggle between rival claimants to the Castilian throne.
The stronghold shifted hands between Islamic and Christian rulers, each leaving their mark on how it was built and used. Walking through the ruins today, you can sense these different periods layered into the walls.
The site is best explored on foot and sits on a hill with wide views across the surrounding land. Wearing sturdy shoes is wise, and it helps to allow time to wander slowly through the different layers of fortifications.
A royal prisoner died here, and his body remained in town for years before being moved elsewhere. A memorial erected in the 1970s marks this dramatic moment from the late 1300s.
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