Castillo De Canena

Canena, Spain, Spain

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Castillo de Canena is a Renaissance castle-palace in Canena, Jaén province, Spain, originally built by the Arab Banu Kinana tribe on Roman ruins and later fortified under the Order of Calatrava during the Reconquista around 1226. In 1538, Francisco de los Cobos, secretary to Emperor Charles V, purchased it and commissioned architect Andrés de Vandelvira to transform the fortress into an elegant residence blending military strength with palatial comfort, featuring a square plan, corner cylindrical towers, a prominent square keep, and remnants of a former moat and drawbridge. Declared a National Monument in 1931, it remains privately owned by the Vañó family, who produce award-winning olive oils there and allow limited visits.