Castles of the kingdom of Toledo

Arab castle, conquered by Alphonso VIII in 1184. It belonged to the powerful Prince/author Don Juan Manuel, and, later to the marquises of Villena, being involed in their rebellion against the Catholic Kings. Today, it lodges a hotel.

Alcalá del Júcar

Castle of Almohad origin (XII-XIII centuries), rebuilt later by the Christians.

Castillo de Calatrava La Nueva.

Built around 1216 by the 8th Master of the Order of Calatrava , don Martin Fernandez de Quintana, as new Headquarters of the order. It was enlarged several times, in order to fulfill the new necessities of the Order.

Almansa

The castle of Almansa was famous for its role in the reconquest of Spain at the beginning of the 12th Century. The present construction was built by the Infante (prince) Don Juan Manuel (more famous for his literary works), at XIV century. Afterwards, it was reformed in the time of the marquis of Villena, don Juan Pacheco.

At the city of Almansa, an important battle took place in 1707, during the War of Sucession of Carlos II: this battle was decisive for the final victory of Felipe V, who was the first Bourbon king of Spain.

Castle of Arab origin, given by Alfonso VI to the cathedral of Toledo. It was reformed by the archbishop Tenorio, at the end of XIV century, and bought by the counts of Mora during XVIII century. In 1809, the troops of general Venegas refugeed there, during the War of the Independence. Nowadays it is still a private propierty.

Built by don Juan Pacheco (first marquis of Villena) at XV century. Its plant is considered on of the most original of the Spanish castles.

"Castillo de San Fernando o de Doña Berenguela"

Probably built between XII and XIII centuries. Given by queen Berenguela (mother of Fernando II, St. Ferdinand) to the Order of Calatrava.

Also known as Castle of "Xerif-El-Edrisi". Chinchilla was reconquered in 1241, it was the capital of the marquisate of Villena, and was incorporated to the Crown of Castile in 1479. King Juan II of Castile gave it the title of "City". Several militar actions took place here during the Spanish war of Sucession (1700-1714) and the War of Independence (1808-1814).

Castle built by Saint John Knights, between XII and XIII centuries. The town of Consuegra was given in 1090 to Alfonso VI by the king Al-Motamid of Sevilla, on 15th August 1097 it took place a battle there, where Almoravids defeated Castilians and took the town. It was recovered again on XII century, being given the St. John Knights by Alfonso VII.

See Batalla de Consuegra (in Spanish).

Castle of mudéjar style. Rebuilt by Alvaro de Luna (Comstable of Castile) at XV century, over a previous (VIII century) castle. It was plundered by French troops during the War of the Independence (1808-1814). Nowadays, it is being restored.

XV century castle. Garci Muñoz was reconquered in 1182 by Alfonso VIII of Castile In 1305, it (and the neighboring castles of Alarcón and Belmonte) was given to the prince-author don Juan Manuel. Afterwards, it belonged to don Juan Pacheco, Marquis of Villena, who built the actual castle. The poet Jorge Manrique died during an assault to this castle.

Built at XV century by D. Pedro López de Ayala (after 1470 Count of Fuensalida). It was restored at 1887 by the Count of El Asalto, plundered at 1936 (during the Civil War) and restored again.

XV century. Rebuilt by D. Gutiérrez de Cárdenas, over a previous castle, that served the king Alfonso VI as a base from which to sally out and capture the city of Toledo from the Moors. Nowadays it is used as barracks by the Civil Guard.

XIV century castle, built as a link between the more important castles of Almonacid & Mora. It was probably disarmed by the Catholic Kings. A private propierty, it is going to be acquired by the Town Council.

It has two parts: the "Old castle", of arab origin (XII-XIII centuries) and the "New castle", of XV century (about 1402). Recently restored, it lodges a hotel of the National Net of "Paradores"

Probably built at XII or XIII centuries. It was conquered by Castilian troops about 1216-1217, but it was recovered by the moorish. The deffinitive conquest took place about 1242. In 1836, during the first Carlist War, the castle was ocuped by the Carlist troops of general Cabrera.

Built at XII century, after the conquest of the city by the Castilian army, it presents many modifications. The frontal side (image) is from XIV century, and was built by the bishop D. Simón Girón de Cisneros.

XVI century. It belongs to the Spanish Army. It was partially destroyed during the Civil War (1936): the militaries of the garrison joined the rebellion, and defended the building heroically against the republican troops, converting the Alcázar in a symbol of the Nationalist side and the posterior Franquist regime. It was rebuilt between 1940 and 1965, and it is planned to be used as Museum of the Army.

The city of Toledo has been declared World heritage Site.

Castle of the end of XIV century (about 1380), built by the archbishop don Pedro Tenorio, over previous constructions. Rebuilt in 1945, it lodges now a student residence. Th city of Toledo has been declared World Heritage Site.

Castle of Moslem origin, belonged later to the Military Order of Santiago, suffering deep modifications in XV and XVI centuries.