Castillo de Medina Sidonia

Castillo de Medina Sidonia sits atop Cerro del Castillo with thick stone walls and rectangular towers that span the hilltop. The site reveals multiple building phases: Roman structures with six small towers, Arab fortifications, and medieval additions layered on top of each other.

The site began as a Roman military fortress, was transformed into an Arab alcazar in the 11th century, and later expanded into a medieval castle. This succession of occupations reflects the shifting powers that controlled the region over centuries.

Stones from the castle were reused to build Santa Maria la Coronada Church and the Town Hall from the 16th century onward. This practice shows how the community adapted materials from the hilltop to shape their town center.

Visitors can explore different phases of fortification on the grounds, with some wall sections well preserved and others more fragmentary. Sturdy footwear is advisable since you walk over uneven terrain and paths can be steep and rough in places.

The Roman fortification stretches roughly 60 meters with six small rectangular towers, a design found nowhere else on the Iberian Peninsula. This rare example makes the site particularly valuable for those studying military architecture of that era.

Location: Medina Sidonia

Part of: Sitio Arqueológico de Medina Sidonia, Cerro del Castillo (Medina-Sidonia)

GPS coordinates: 36.45821,-5.92474

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:23