Castle of Peñausende, Medieval castle in Peñausende, Spain.

The Castle of Peñausende rises on steep granite cliffs at the edge of a rocky outcrop, with remnants of defensive walls and tower bases from various building phases. The location functions as a natural vantage point overlooking the province of Zamora.

The castle belonged to the encomienda of the Order of Santiago in Peñausende, in the province of Zamora. A 1528 account by Santiago visitor delegates describes its state at the time, and Gómez-Moreno recorded it in his 1903–1905 monumental catalogue of Zamora. It is classed among the rock-top and frontier castles abandoned in the Late Middle Ages.

Local tradition ties the castle rock to Viriatus, the Celtiberian leader who resisted Roman forces in the 2nd century BC. The site is also called "El Castillo", and the dry-stone walls of the surrounding private plots, known locally as cortinas and cortinos, still shape how the hilltop is used and read today.

The site is accessible on foot but requires care on uneven terrain and steep pathways, particularly in wet conditions. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and allow time to explore the ruins and enjoy the views from the elevated position.

The 1528 report by Santiago Order visitors survives and was later cited by Gómez-Moreno in his 1903-1905 monumental catalogue of Zamora province. The site is classed among the rare "castillos de peñabrava, castillos reales y castillos de frontera", strongholds perched on crags and abandoned in the late Middle Ages. From the 909 m summit, clear days reveal Sayago, the Sierra de la Culebra and Portuguese land beyond the Arribes del Duero.