Castillo de Piedrabuena, Medieval castle near San Vicente de Alcantara, Spain.
Castillo de Piedrabuena is a stone fortress in Badajoz Province with sturdy walls and four corner towers. The interior organizes around a courtyard surrounded by residential galleries, which provided living and working spaces for those inside.
Built in the 13th century, the fortress served as an administrative center for the Order of Alcantara in the region between the Guadiana and Tagus rivers. A bastion added in 1547 demonstrates its continued strategic importance during the Renaissance.
The castle displays architectural elements from different periods, with Gothic structures from medieval times blended alongside Renaissance additions from the 16th century. These layers reveal how the fortress adapted over centuries to meet the changing needs of those who lived here.
The site sits roughly 10 kilometers from Alburquerque and remains privately owned. Contact the San Vicente de Alcantara tourism office beforehand to arrange a visit on your own schedule.
A notable feature is a 1547 bastion with a stone-carved heraldic shield depicting King Charles V and the Order of San Julian de Pereiro. This rare symbol shows the fortress's connection to both secular and religious powers of its era.
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