Castillo de Almodóvar del Río

Almodóvar del Río, Andalusia, Spain

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Castillo de Almodóvar del Río rises dramatically above the town of Almodóvar del Río in Andalusia, Spain, perched on a hill that once hosted a Roman fort and later became a strategic stronghold during the Islamic rule of the Iberian Peninsula.

The current structure dates back to the 8th century, built by the Umayyads, and has since witnessed centuries of conflict, transformation, and restoration. Its commanding position overlooking the Guadalquivir River made it a vital military asset, and its architecture reflects a blend of Moorish and Christian influences shaped by successive rulers.

During the Middle Ages, the castle was expanded and fortified by Castilian kings such as Alfonso XI and Pedro I, who used it as a royal residence and treasury. It also served as a prison for notable figures like Doña Juana de Lara and Rodrigo Alonso Pimentel, the 1st Duke of Benavente. After centuries of neglect, the castle was painstakingly restored between 1901 and 1936 by Rafael Desmaissières, the 12th Count of Torralva, and architect Adolfo Fernández Casanova.

Their efforts revived the fortress’s grandeur, using thousands of cubic meters of stone and employing hundreds of workers from the local community.