Recently, the ultimate notion of wealth and good taste can be reduced to a single expression revealing: “He Castle in Spain”. Today, the situation is not much changed. Turbulent history of the Spanish kingdom led to the construction of over 2,500 castles and military fortifications. Moorish castles, Spanish castles in mountains, plains castles, castles on the seashore … Today, most castles are fully restored by specialists, offering romantic images at the horizon bathed in sun Iberian. It is very difficult to choose the most beautiful castle, we invite you to do that by voting in the poll at the end of the article, once you go through the text.

Castle Loarre

In the heart of the vineyard lands Somontano, within walking distance of Huesca, reigns almost mystical figure Loarre castle. Architectural complex which includes the castle dates from the 11th century and is part of UNESCO’s list of protected monuments. It was built by King Sancho he Mayor, when he conquered inprejurimile, being then under Moorish domination. Circumscribe castle architecture Lombard and Mozarabic elements. In 1095, King Pedro I of Aragon and Navarre, the royal monastery donated Montearagon castle. Castle and eight defensive towers were restored in two stages, which took place in 1913, or 1970.

Tossa de Mar Castle

Above the beach that borders the fishing village of the same name, this fortified castle benefit probably one of the best locations in Spain: Tossa de Mar is situated on the famous Costa Brava, Spain tourism pearl. Near, equally, the Pyrenees Mountains and the blue Mediterranean semetii, all planted in a traditional Catalan atmosphere makes Tossa de Mar to be a goal all year looked beautiful and spectacular enthusiasts. Adding up near the vineyards Emporda, understand why the house cost 2-3 times more than a similar one in other regions of Spain. Castle came to the attention of the world after, in the last century anii’50, actress Ava Gardner filmed two masterpieces of classic film: Pandora and Flyng Dutchman. Travel tip: visit him outside the summer period, June to September, when hordes of tourists were carabanit to their homes and the weather is no longer sticky. Another thing: Tossa de Mar is the first city in Spain and abroad, who said, in 1989, City Anti-Corrida!

Alarcon Castle

The Arab fortress in the province of Cuenca, which dates from the 8th century, holds within its walls, centuries of troubled history and still unspeakable mysteries. In 1177, Ferren Martinez Ceballos led the Christian armies were captured Alarcon, then a major stronghold of the Moorish dynasty Almohazilor. After a fit of gratitude, King Alfonso VII of Castile, the allotment on Ferren Martinez with freshly conquered the city, naming it Alarcon, in memory of his bravery. The name has been worn for centuries by his descendants, the famous 16th century playwright Juan Ruiz de Alarcon. In the best tradition of most Spanish castles, Alarcon is located near a vineyard. Vicario Pago brand wines are among the most popular wine region of La Mancha. Alarcon also holds an enviable record. Among the most representative castles of La Mancha, is believed to be the very castle around which “gravitated” Don Quixote, the hero of Cervantes’s masterpiece.

Castle Olite

Considered by many industry experts as the most imposing medieval building in northern Spain Olite castle was built by the kings of Navarre, somewhere in the interval between 13-15 centuries. The castle served as residence for King Charles III. While the building abandoned military destiantia become palace. Olite is located congruence of two major Spanish wine regions, Ochoa and La Rioja. The castle went through difficult times, culminating in an event weapons during the Peninsular War, when it was burned. At the beginning of last century, they began the first full restoration. Today, the castle looks so spectacular that he was elected principal place of Parador Nacional de Turismo.

Coca Castle

Just 50 kilometers from the capital and 60 km from Segovia Valladolid, Castilla y Leon autonomous province, we meet at Coca Castle. Although Cauca ancient city was founded by the Romans since ancient castle here was built in the 14th century AD just Since 1453, when construction was completed, the castle served as the official residence of the White House, a leading Spanish noble dynasty. Today, tourism role is being added to the list of historical monuments of utmost importance, since 1931.

Ponferrada Castle

Considered by many tourists as the most beautiful castle in the whole of the famous pilgrimage route to Compostela, Ponferrada (translated Iron Gates), he gets a deserved vineyard, called Bierzo. In ancient times, before the Roman occupation, the whole region was inhabited by tribes Asturian, a Hispano-Celtic-Galician population. But this castle was erected in honor of the Knights Templar. Castilio called de los Templarios, the fortification was was donated Templar Order, in 1178, by King Ferdinand II of Leon. Erijat famous knights were at that time the defenders of pilgrims who passed through the land He Berzoi, along their way to Santiago de Compostela. Today, the building is the most sought after tourist attraction in the entire region Leon.

La Mota Castle

In the province of Valladolid Spanish castle find the nearest current Gothic architecture. The building came under the protection of the Spanish State, since 1904, by the Cultural Intersite Biennale. La Mota Castle was built in 1080, as a foothold against the Moors. It was conquered by the sword once: it happens in 1345, when the castle gates fell in front of Trastamara Enrique. Following the Battle of Olameido, in 1445, La Mota took forever possessions among Castilian monarchy. The castle served as a prison for many famous characters, among which ramarca Cesare Borgia and Hernando Pizarro. Today, it is one of the best castles in Spain, its doors remain open to millions of visitors who step into them annually. How I almost forgot … La Mota is to be found in the middle regions of Rueda and Ribera del Duero wine!

Xativa Castle

Xativa town located near Valencia, has placed its surroundings an ancient castle along the road Via Augusta, which bind Carthage by Rome, crossing Hispania. In 1092, the castle came into the possession of the Moorish dynasty Almoravizilor, where he remained until 1145, when a local uprising and banished them. Castle then falls into the hands of a rival dynasty Almohazilor, and in 1244, is finally conquered by Christians, in the person of King James di Aragon. Today, has been restored and is open to tourism.

Castle Gallifa

Gallifa Castle reigns over the village with the same name in Catalonia. Located on a hill 600 meters high, the building is a fortress which, in distant past, was also an imprisonment. The first mention of the city comes from the year 999 AD. You were married, in 1060, Ramon, son of Adlatrudis, and Rodlendis. The castle served as a fortress, until the 16th century, when it became home for the poor. Inside it, you can admire the magnificent church of Santa Maria del Castell, built in Romanian architectural style. Unique case among the castles of the world, one in Gallifa is considered an ecological sanctuary: in 1985, Joseph Dalmau, Gallifa priest, consecrated an image of the Virgin castle as the Madre de Deu de l’Ecology (Ecology Lady) . After restoration of buildings, the place was transformed into a nature protection area as befits Roman Catholic Christianity.

Alcazar Castle

On the rough rocks near the city of Segovia, above the confluence Eresma and Clamores, rises probably the most imposing castle in Spain. Alcazar, because it is his name, was built originally as a crucial stronghold, but also served as a royal palace, prison, Royal Artillery College and Military Academy. It was built by Arabs Moors in 1120, but destiny wanted that at only 32 years of perfecting the building to fall into the hands of the Christian army led by King Alfonso IV of Castile. Throughout the Middle Ages, was one of the favorite residences of the Spanish monarchs. This is where the two legendary figures in the history of Spain, Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, met for the first time jurandu their faith to each other. More recently, here married the Spanish king Felipe with his second wife, Princess Anna of Austria. The place itself is fabulous: if you like history or if you’re passionate about weapons Medieval Weapons visiting room, where you can find many weapons and armor. For an unforgettable experience, climb the 150 steps to the highest tower. In winter it is served an excellent suckling pig baked in red wine company local lighthouse ‘pair.