Castillo de Salvatierra

Spain, Spain

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Castillo de Salvatierra is a 12th-13th century Islamic fortress situated on a small hill near Calzada de Calatrava in Ciudad Real province, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, guarding a strategic volcanic pass.

Originally Almohad in origin, it changed hands multiple times during the Reconquista, notably defended heroically by the Order of Calatrava against Almohad sieges in 1211 before its Christian recapture around 1225-1226 amid the pivotal Las Navas de Tolosa campaign.

Now mostly in ruins with remnants of its keep and walls, the site paired defensively with nearby Calatrava la Nueva, symbolizing medieval frontier warfare and later serving as a monastic seat until 19th-century abandonment.