Castillo de Portilla, Medieval castle ruins near Zambrana, Spain
Castillo de Portilla is a castle ruin positioned on elevated ground with remains of a central tower and an underground water storage system located near limestone cliffs. The structure displays typical features of a medieval defensive fortification built in this region.
The fortress was built in 1040 as a defensive structure for the Kingdom of Navarre and came under the control of the Kingdom of Castile during the 13th century. This shift reflected the broader political reorganization occurring across northern regions during the medieval period.
The castle appears on the coat of arms of Álava province, showing how deeply rooted it is in the region's sense of identity. This representation reflects the fortress's lasting importance to local communities.
The site is accessible through marked hiking paths that connect it to the Castle of Lanos de Ocio in the southeastern Añana region. These trails offer good conditions for visiting both fortifications during a single exploration trip.
Archaeological excavations at this location uncovered evidence of human settlement from the Iron Age, predating the medieval fortress construction by centuries. These findings show that the location held strategic value long before the castle was built.
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