Old castle of Manzanares el Real, Medieval fortress in Manzanares el Real, Spain
The Old Castle of Manzanares el Real is a fortress with a square layout and circular towers at each corner, containing a polygonal keep and six distinct interior levels. The structure combines defensive features with residential spaces across multiple floors.
Diego Hurtado de Mendoza began construction of this fortress in 1475, displaying the power of his family following the Reconquista. The building arose during an era when noble families demonstrated their authority through impressive stone structures.
The Gothic gallery on the first floor displays decorative arrow slits carved with symbols of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. These details reflect the religious values that mattered to the family who commissioned the building.
The location sits on a hilltop and can be easily surveyed from an elevated position. Wear comfortable shoes, as access to the building and surrounding grounds involves stairs and uneven terrain.
The walls contain remnants of an earlier Romanesque-Mudejar shrine visible in various interior sections. This hidden layer reveals that the castle was built atop a previous structure.
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