Castillo Melgarejo, cultural property in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
Castillo Melgarejo is a medieval castle set on a hill overlooking the countryside near Jerez de la Frontera, with a main tower that is square at the base and becomes octagonal at the top. The structure features crenellated walls, remains of defensive parapets in the corners, and an ogival-arched entrance gate displaying the Melgarejo family coat of arms.
The castle was built in the 13th and 14th centuries, possibly over remains of an earlier Muslim fortress, to control important trade routes between different regions. The Melgarejo family, who arrived with King Alfonso X during the Christian reconquest, has owned the property since 1606.
The castle is recognized locally as a link to the past and defines the identity of the nearby community of Torremelgarejo. The people who live in the area see this structure as a witness to their heritage and a symbol of their place's importance through centuries.
The site is located in a quiet rural area south of Jerez, reachable via country roads and easy to find from the city. The grounds are accessible on foot, though there are no marked paths and you will need to navigate through fields and grass areas.
Archaeological finds reveal that the site was used as far back as the Copper Age, with a burial chamber and pottery vessels discovered below the castle. This layer of prehistoric settlement beneath the medieval structure shows that this hilltop held importance for many thousands of years.
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