Castle of Sajazarra, Fortified palace in the municipality of Sajazarra, La Rioja, Spain
The Castle of Sajazarra is a 15th-century sandstone fortress built by the Velasco family on what was once a smaller fortification. Its rectangular form includes seven circular towers and a central residential tower with octagonal corner towers, with interior spaces originally divided across four levels.
The fortress was built in the 15th century when Sajazarra became a lordship under the Velasco family, replacing an earlier defensive structure. It held strategic importance in the medieval period for controlling trade routes connecting nearby towns and settlements in the region.
The castle occupies a prominent hilltop position within the village and shapes how locals and visitors understand the area. It demonstrates how noble families displayed authority through architecture and organized life around such structures.
The castle sits on a hill in the village center and is easily reached on foot from the main area. Visitors can explore the exterior surroundings, though access to the interior may be limited or subject to specific arrangements or restrictions.
The fortress was built over the remains of an earlier fortification and possibly a former church; buried tombs in a nearby square hint at continuous human presence across centuries. These hidden layers make it a window into multiple periods of history simultaneously.
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