Castillo, Medieval fortress in Gérgal, Spain
Castillo is a medieval fortress perched on a hilltop overlooking Gérgal with thick stone walls and multiple towers of varying shapes. The structure dominates the Almería landscape from its elevated position and provides far-reaching views across the surrounding countryside and valleys.
The fortress was built during the Moorish period as a strategic defense point on the northern frontier of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. After Christian reconquest, the structure remained an important military outpost under new control and gradually lost its defensive role over the following centuries.
The fortress blends Islamic and Christian building methods that visitors can see in its construction style and layout. Local residents view the castle as a symbol of the region's complex past shaped by different peoples living there over centuries.
The fortress can be reached on foot from central Gérgal by following marked pathways through narrow village streets that lead uphill to the castle entrance. Wear sturdy shoes for the climb and consider visiting in the morning to avoid the strongest afternoon heat.
The castle combines square and circular watchtowers connected by high stone walls in an unusual arrangement that blends different defensive tower styles. This mix of tower shapes sets it apart from other fortifications built during the same period in the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
