11 Andalusian castles that are perfect storytellers

Andalucía’s past is extremely interesting. This area of 87,000 square kilometres holds a great part of Spain’s cultural heritage. But if there is something that stands out from the rest, that would be its fortresses. Some of the most breathtaking castles in Andalucía can be found in Jaén, Sevilla, and Córdoba.

These lines explore the most beautiful castles in the area. But their past is important as well. From legends to real battles, these buildings have witnessed history develop. They are part of popular culture. These are the most beautiful castles in Andalucía.

11 Andalusian castles to travel back in time

Castle of San Jorge

The Castle of San Jorge is considered the largest in Andalucía. It dates back to the Visigothic Kingdom, and it can be found on the right side of the Guadalquivir River, which was called Gabir by the Arabs. It was them who built a bridge that allowed people to cross the river and the walls. This wall included ten towers, a barbican, and a moat. In 1481, it became the headquarters of the Spanish Inquisition and would remain this way until 1626. It belonged to Gaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivares, until 1639, when it was handed back to the Spanish Inquisition until it disappeared in 1785.

Castle of Iruela

The story of the Castle of Iruela is a singular one, since it was built in three different eras: the Middle Ages with the Templars, then the Castillians, and finally the sixteenth-century nobility. The first remains of human activity found in the area date back to the Copper Age, in the year 3 B.C. This castle of modest proportions can be accessed on the lower floor, which is larger than the others and houses a magnificent aljibe, water-storage wells built by Arabs. The lot is bordered by a wall and four towers, one of which is of Berber origin.

Castle of Belalcázar

This is one of the grandest castles on this list. It is considered one of the most important constructions in Spain. Its restoration can be visited, making it a good spot to watch Córdoba from the highest level of one of its towers. It is also known as the Castle of Gafiq, the Castle of Gahete, or the Castle of Sotomayory Zúñiga. The construction of this castle of Gothic and military features began in the 15th century, and it became one of the best examples of this architectural style. Its eight towers, its plaza de armas, and its keep, which is the tallest in Spain thanks to its 47 metres of height.

Castle of Almodóvar del Río

This castle of Muslim origins was built in the 8th century, but it has suffered many renovations since then. It was restructured in the 20th century, a process that turned into one of the best-preserved defensive structures on the Iberian Peninsula. This Mudéjar-Gothic building is one of the best places to visit in Andalucía.

Castle of Marbella

This castle lies in the heart of the city of Marbella. It dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries, when the first Caliph of Al-Andalus, Abd al-Rahman III, ordered its construction. Its walls of Arab style include the defence of 20 towers. In the 14th and 15th centuries, part of this place was restructured, which can be visited today.

Castle of Burgalimar

The Guadalquivir River was one of the most important strategic points in the Umayyad era. For this reason, most castles in the area lie on its banks. The Castle of Burgalimar welcomes visitors to Baños de la Encina. It is surrounded by 14 towers and a keep of Christian style. It hasn’t suffered any damage, which makes it one of the best preserved castles of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Furthermore, it is Spain’s oldest preserved castle.

Castle of Santa Catalina

This castle is composed of three differentiated fortresses. Each one of them was built in a different era. The Castle of Santa Catalina is the best preserved out of the three, and it’s a Parador Nacional nowadays. These three fortresses allowed the defence of the city’s inhabitants until it was conquered by Christian troops.

Castle of Canena

This castle of Renaissance architecture is located in Jaén and was designed by Andrés de Vandelvira, considered by many to be the most important architect of his era. Francisco de los Cobos, the castle’s owner, was Charles V’s secretary. This place dates back to the 17th century and has a large, two-floor inner courtyard. The second floor features capitals and Ionic columns. Although it is a private property in the present, it’s possible to visit this castle by asking the local town hall or the owners.

Castle of Calahorra

On a hill on an almost desertic plain, with the Sierra Nevada at its back, the Castle of Calahorra enjoys a unique position that makes looking at it a remarkable experience. It was built on Rodrigo Díaz Vivar y Mendoza’s order. This was the first Renaissance building in Spain. Actually, Italian artists were brought to Spain so they could confirm it was properly built.

Castle of Alcalá de Guadaíra

Like most of the preserved castles in Andalucía, this fortress has Muslim origins. In the past, it was used as a defensive fortress for the city of Sevilla. Nothing is left from its early years, or it lies under the ground, but the remains from the 12th century can be observed. In that century, the Almohad Caliphate ordered the construction of a fortress in the western area. It is thought that they pretended to create a camp for the Mujahideen troops that would arrive from Northern Africa.

Castle of Sancti Petri

Most people don’t know about this place. This fortress is special due to its location: it lies on a tiny islet in San Fernando. Its location is its most recognisable feature. Both its walls and the fortress were built in the 18th century, but the watchtower, or atalaya, was erected before, in 1610.