Castle of Barcience

The Castle of Barcience is a rectangular fortress with two circular towers at the western corners and two square towers at the eastern corners, all built from rubblework masonry. The layout reflects medieval military design with reinforced corner towers meant for defense.

The Silva family built this fortification in the 15th century after receiving the property from the Order of Santiago through Alfonso Tenorio. The castle represents the connection between the military order and the noble family that exercised power in the region.

A large stone lion carved on the eastern side displays the heraldic emblem of the Silva family, Counts of Cifuentes. This symbol remains visible on the structure and speaks to the noble history tied to the place.

The fortress is accessible via a dirt path that passes near the Barcience cemetery. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be aware that the interior contains crumbled sections requiring careful exploration.

The northeast tower contains a partially collapsed spiral staircase that once connected the upper levels of the fortification. This deteriorated stairway offers a glimpse into the original vertical layout when the castle was fully functional.