Castle of Villaviciosa de Odón, Medieval fortress in Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain.

The castle of Villaviciosa de Odón is a stone fortification with four circular towers positioned at its corners. The structure blends military defensive features with residential spaces typical of 15th-century noble dwellings.

The castle was built in 1496 by the Marquis of Moya, but was later destroyed and rebuilt in 1583 by royal architect Juan de Herrera. This reconstruction shaped the structure visitors see today.

The castle served different social roles across centuries, from noble residence to educational center to state institution. Walking through it today, you can sense the layered purposes embedded in its walls and rooms.

The castle stands on Avenida de Madrid, in Villaviciosa de Odón, about 25 km southwest of Madrid. Since 1972 it has housed the Archivo Histórico General del Aire, so the interior is a working archive rather than a museum; access is arranged with the town council and the archive, and the building is best seen from the avenue and the adjoining former estate.

Since 1972 the castle has housed the Archivo Histórico General del Aire, the Spanish Air Force's historical archive. The military use dates back to 1886, when the Colegio de Educandos del Cuerpo de Carabineros was installed here. Before that, the building served for years as a granary and farmhouse.