Castle of Herrera del Duque, Medieval castle in Herrera del Duque, Spain
The Castle of Herrera del Duque is a stone fortress built with an unusual eight-sided shape that crowns a mountain ridge. Its walls rise to approximately 20 meters and dominate the skyline above the village below.
The fortress was built during the Middle Ages as an important stronghold for the Sotomayor family, who ruled the surrounding lands from this location. It functioned as a key defense point within the regional network of fortifications in Extremadura.
This fortress shaped how the local lords controlled the region and remains a landmark that defines the village's character. It sits above the settlement as a reminder of when such strongholds dominated local life.
The site requires a walk uphill on foot since vehicles cannot reach the ruins at the top. Wear sturdy shoes and come early in the day to make the most of your visit and enjoy good light for viewing.
Hidden beneath the ruins is a preserved underground cistern with a brick barrel vault that once stored water during long sieges. This hidden chamber reveals how the fortress was designed to endure prolonged attacks.
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