Castle of Peñarroya XII century A.D., Medieval castle in Ruidera, Spain.
Castle of Peñarroya is a 12th-century fortress built on a cliff with natural defensive positions on its southern and western faces. The structure features a double stone wall, a dry moat, and a compact layout typical of medieval military construction.
The fortress was originally built as a Muslim stronghold in the 12th century and came under Christian control in 1198. The Knights Hospitaller took possession in 1215 and maintained it as a strategic outpost in the region.
The Hermitage of the Virgin of Peñarroya sits within the castle grounds and continues to serve as a place of devotion for visitors and pilgrims today. The chapel and its altar reflect how medieval fortresses often combined military and spiritual purposes under one roof.
The site is freely accessible year-round and marks the entrance to Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park with its lakes and hiking trails. Wear sturdy footwear since access involves uneven rocky paths and natural terrain.
Beneath the castle ruins lie remains of an Islamic necropolis and several grain storage structures whose age is still being studied. These archaeological findings show the site had been inhabited long before the fortress was built.
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