04/02/2024
Go to the west of Madrid to feel the sense of history
They are the stone miracles soothed by the torrent of time
Is the guardian of the ancient civilization
And the weaver of the story
In this charming and mysterious western region, castles stand on the ridge. They are towering forts, solidified the traces of history and witnessing the rise and fall of the ancient kingdoms. Madrid region west of the castle route is divided into three historical stages: from the era of fortifications, through the castilla population reconstruction period of the castle, finally into the solemn period with fortress, you will find every castle with fresh story and magnificent scenery, together with the footprints of history, let the castle journey life a unforgettable adventure!
1. Torreón de Pinto
Built in the middle of the 14th century, the tower retains its original charm and rugged appearance despite the wind and rain. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the tower was used as a prison for aristocrats and eminent people, witnessing countless power battles and destiny fates. One of the most famous prisoners is Princess Eboli: Ana de Mendoza y de la Cerda, who was held here for six months. The events of this land have now made the tower turn into a historical hall full of mystery and stories.
2. Castillo de Puñonrostro, Torrejón de Velasco
Built in the 15th century, the castle underwent an important renovation in 1460, when the ownership of the lords changed, and then the castle began to enjoy royal privileges, including holding fairs and free markets, and became the center of commerce and communication at the time, bringing prosperity to the surrounding area. In the following centuries, the castle was used as a temporary prison, holding many prominent people, and around 1775, the inner house even set up soap works and woolen mills, showing the industrial production activities of the time.
3. Castillo de Batres
The oldest part of the castle is its strong and slender main tower, whose main porch is Elizabethan Gothic style and features the arms of the Lasos and Guzmanes families. The great poets Garcilaso de la Vega and Lord of Batres once created his best poems here. The castle later belonged to the family of the Earls of Onate and finally to the Marquis of Riscal. Today the castle is the headquarters of the "Batres Castle" Horticulture and Landscape School and a venue for celebrations and events. Furthermore, the Renaissance castle was declared a historic art site in 1970, located in charming natural surroundings.
4. Torreón de Arroyomolinos
Belongs to the Mudhar Gothic architectural style. The tower was built in the second half of the 15th century by order of Juan de Oviedo for the defence of the lords of Arroyo de Los Molinos. The building consisted of a central fortress, a front wall surrounded by a moat, an internal courtyard, parade ground and four corner defensive towers, and in the 17th century the fort walls were removed and the moat filled in. However, the tower continues to play an important role, being used as a prison, dungeon, shop, granaries and even taverns, and was excavated and restored in the Region of Madrid in 2003.
5. Castillo de la Coracera
The castle dates back five centuries. Its builder, Don Alvaro de Luna, the most important loyal minister of King Juan II, bought land in 1434 in the town and manor of Saint Martin de Glesas (San Martin de Valdeiglesias), and not only owned the castle, but also the nearby Abbey of Santa Maria. The place has changed its masters many times in its history, witnessing the alternation of royal power and the power struggle. You can visit and feel the atmosphere of the late Middle Ages, and the castle has a modern audio-visual system that replays the past by showing specially made images.
6. Palacio de Villena, Cadalso de los Vidrios
The palace dates back to the 16th century and was originally built in the Romanesque style, but later renovations brought it closer to the Renaissance style. During its construction, the Marquis of Villena aimed to create a building with both internal and external beauty, with the exterior and interior of the palace representing the artistic and architectural style of the period. There is also a beautiful Renaissance style garden and large stone pond which is free to the public as part of the palace. The garden here is beautifully designed and combines the characteristics of the European Renaissance, and is worth a visit. In 1931, the palace was declared a cultural property, recognising its historical and architectural values.
7. Castillo de la Aulencia, Villanueva de la Cañada
The castle is located on Mount Olkahoe, near the Oencia River and ESAC (European Space Astronomy Center). It was once part of the village called the Lost Castillo Free Town (Villafranca del Castillo), from which the present city of Villanueva de la Canada got its name.The castle, known for its Muslim-style defensive architecture, is supposedly to have been under Muslim control, and while it is still private property today, its historical appeal and grandeur are still fascinating and while it is closed to the outside.
8. Atalaya de Torrelodones
Built in the 10th century during the Cordova caliph, it was part of many similar buildings in the Madrid mountains and can still be found in the mountains, and these towers share common features: they are hollow, circular structures, more than 10 meters high. And it was not just a tower. In the 11th century, the ruler Abderraman III used them to ward off the Christian invasion of the southern Guadalama Mountains, which formed a huge and powerful defense to protect the territory of the southern Guadalama Mountains. Not only that, but it was almost forgotten before it was rediscovered in the 17th century, and now the tower has been restored as an important relic and tourist attraction.
9. Castillo Viejo de Manzanares el Real
The castle is on the banks of the beautiful Manzanares River and stands on a small hill overlooking the La Pedriza, Canada Real Segoviana and the Manzanares River. The castle has only the basic shape and exterior walls of the building, but it still shows the grandeur of its past. There is no exact information on the builder and the construction date, but based on the similarities with the Buitrago, Santorcaz and Aulencia castles, it is speculated that it may have been built during the recovery of the lost land. At present, an archaeological excavation project has been launched to study and display the historical remains of the ancient castle.
10. Castillo de los Condes de Chinchón
The castle symbolizes the uniqueness of Manzanares, built in 1475 in the Isabelle Gothic style, and is the best example of Spanish military architecture in the 15th century. It perfectly combines the medieval knight style with the garrison elements and the Renaissance humanism style, with magnificent halls, beautifully decorated facades and magnificent observation platforms, and is one of the most well-preserved castles in Spain.
The cluster of castles in the Madrid region stands in the quiet countryside,
After all the vicissitudes of life,
To the glory and glory of the past,
Walking through it is like going backwards in time,
Back to the days of knights and princesses.
Book Yellow Line now
[email protected]
Everyone
Highlight
Hardyal Singh Rinku Goswami
