Castillo de Zueros, Medieval castle in Zuheros, Spain.
Castillo de Zueros sits atop a limestone cliff that overlooks the town and combines a rectangular defensive tower with thick stone walls. Inside, Renaissance palace rooms are built into the older fortification structure, creating spaces for living alongside defensive features.
The fortress was first built in the 9th century as a defensive stronghold during Islamic rule of the region. King Ferdinand III conquered it in 1240, and the structure was later transformed with Renaissance additions when it became a noble family residence.
The water system inside reveals the Islamic heritage of the fortress, while the later palace rooms show how noble families adapted the structure for civilian life. Walking through both sections tells the story of how military strongholds became family residences.
The castle is accessible by walking up through the old town streets that climb from the main plaza. It works well to combine a visit here with nearby sites like the Church of Los Remedios and the rest of the historic center.
The tower once served as the town's clock tower for two centuries, marking time for everyone below from 1760 until the mechanism was moved to the church in 1960. This everyday function gave the fortress a role in the daily rhythm of the town beyond its original defensive purpose.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
