Castle of Montilla, Medieval fortress ruins in Montilla, Spain.
The Castle of Montilla is a medieval fortress whose ruins sit on elevated ground and feature multiple defensive towers such as La Dorada, del Sol, Centinela, La Defensa, Minerva, and Diana. The grounds now contain the Duke's Granary from the 18th century, a storage building that houses the visitor information office and rotating exhibitions.
The fortress developed during the medieval period as a strategic defensive point for the region. King Ferdinand the Catholic ordered its destruction in 1508 to weaken the power of Pedro Fernández de Córdoba, the first Marquis of Priego.
The site was birthplace of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, a celebrated Spanish military commander whose family held considerable power in the region. His life story remains closely tied to the identity of this place.
The grounds are easily accessible with clear sight lines to the remaining towers and walls from various angles. Wear sturdy shoes, as the pathways are uneven and the surface varies throughout the site.
Archaeological digs have uncovered remains of an Iberian settlement from before the 1st century, showing the area was inhabited long before the medieval fortress rose here. A watchtower from the period of Christian conquest was also discovered, revealing multiple layers of regional history.
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