Castle of Guevara-Gebara, Medieval fortress in Barrundia, Spain

Castle of Guevara-Gebara is a medieval fortress in Barrundia set on a hilltop with thick walls and arrow slits designed for defense. The site preserves tower remains and vaulted passages running beneath the walls that once provided protected walkways.

Built in the 15th century, the fortress drew its architectural inspiration from Rome's Castel Sant'Angelo. It served as a strategic stronghold controlling trade and movement between the provinces of Alava and Guipuzcoa.

The castle's name comes from the Guevara lineage, lords of this site from the 13th century, who belonged to the Gamboínos faction in the Basque banderizo wars. Their fortified palace still stands on the southern slope below the summit, next to the village.

The climb starts in Guevara at 567 m and follows the Urkisolo and El parral paths to the fortified palace at 603 m, reachable by car. From there a footpath runs past the Gaztelubide pass to a water tank at 654 m, then a trail leads to the summit. The Aldaia peak at 790 m is nearby via the Mojón largo col.

The 1839 demolition required such massive quantities of gunpowder that local residents witnessed the event and contemporary newspapers reported on it. This enormous blast reveals how solidly the original builders had constructed the fortress.