San Miguel Castle, Medieval fortress on coastal hilltop in Almuñécar, Spain.
San Miguel Castle is a stone fortress built on a hilltop overlooking the coast and town below. It features a wide moat, four round towers framing the main entrance, and jagged battlement walls designed for defense.
Phoenicians founded the site in the 7th century BC, and later Romans and Arabs expanded and rebuilt it. The structures visible today mostly date from the Arab period of rule.
The fortress served as a meeting point where Phoenician, Roman, and Arab builders left their mark on the same stone walls. Visitors walking through it today experience layers of different architectural styles stacked upon one another.
It is best visited during daylight hours when views of the sea and town are clear and well lit. The pathways around the site have some steep sections, so sturdy shoes and time to explore the different levels are helpful.
During the Spanish War of Independence, a British naval bombardment damaged one tower so severely that it leans to this day. This visible tilt remains a striking reminder of the conflict that once affected the coast.
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