Belmonte Castle, La Mancha, Spain

Belmonte Castle (Castillo de Belmonte) is one of the finest and best-preserved castles in central Spain, crowning the Cerro de San Cristóbal above the little town of Belmonte in the province of Cuenca, in the heart of La Mancha. It was begun in 1456 for Juan Pacheco, the powerful Marquis of Villena and favourite of King Henry IV of Castile, as a residence worthy of his new marquisate. Built in an elegant Gothic-Mudéjar style, it is famous for its unusual plan — a triangular outer enceinte enclosing a six-pointed, star-shaped inner courtyard, with cylindrical towers at the points — a design unique in Spain. Abandoned for a time, it was rescued and restored in the 19th century by the Spanish-born Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, whose family held the title, and it has since become a favourite of film-makers.

What to See

The castle rewards a slow exploration. Inside, the star-shaped courtyard and the great halls preserve superb Mudéjar coffered ceilings (artesonados), carved doorways and Gothic details, alongside the neo-Gothic touches — among them a brick balcony — added during Empress Eugénie’s 19th-century restoration; many rooms are furnished and brought to life by costumed guides. Climb the 22-metre towers and walk the walls for wide views across the plains of La Mancha and down over the town, itself ringed by medieval walls. In the grounds a “trebuchet park” displays working reconstructions of medieval siege engines, and the castle regularly hosts medieval tournaments and combat displays. Its picturesque, film-ready looks have made it a set for productions from Charlton Heston’s El Cid to more recent Spanish films.

How to Get There and Practical Information

Belmonte lies in the province of Cuenca, roughly 150 kilometres south-east of Madrid and about 100 kilometres from both Cuenca and Toledo, in classic windmill-and-vineyard La Mancha country. It is most easily reached by car, off the A-3 motorway; public transport is limited, with only some regional buses. The castle stands on the hill just above the town, with parking near the entrance. It is ticketed, usually with an audio guide included, and a combined ticket adds the trebuchet park with its medieval-weapons demonstrations; the castle is generally closed on Mondays and keeps seasonal hours, so check before travelling. Allow an hour or two, and leave time for the walled old town of Belmonte below, birthplace of the poet Fray Luis de León.