Castle of Riba de Santiuste, Medieval castle in Sigüenza, Spain.
The Castle of Riba de Santiuste is a medieval fortress sitting on a hilltop in the municipality of Sigüenza, in the Spanish province of Guadalajara. It is made up of four defensive towers around a small inner courtyard and can only be reached by a narrow path cut into the rock.
The fortress was built in the 12th century and placed under the authority of the bishop of Sigüenza, who controlled the surrounding region at that time. In the 15th century it changed hands when outside forces occupied it before it was retaken by local authorities.
The castle stands on a rocky outcrop above a small village that shares its name, and it can be seen from the surrounding countryside. Visitors can walk around the outer walls and take in the four corner towers and the narrow path that leads to the gate.
The path up to the castle is narrow and rocky, so sturdy footwear is a good idea before setting out. The hilltop site is fully open to the wind, so bringing an extra layer is worth considering regardless of the season.
The name Riba de Santiuste comes from a Latin word meaning bank or steep slope, which directly describes the rocky ledge the castle sits on. Looking up at it from below makes the origin of the name immediately clear.
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