Pioz Castle

Pioz, Spain, Spain

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Pioz Castle in Pioz, Guadalajara province, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, is a late 15th-century palace-fortress built on a plain as a luxurious yet defensive residence inspired by Italian models. 

Initiated in 1468 by Cardinal Pedro González de Mendoza, construction paused when he traded it in 1469 to nobleman Álvar Gómez de Ciudad Real, whose family completed it with architect Lorenzo Vázquez using ashlar stone, featuring a square layout, surrounding barbican with corner turrets and saeteras for arquebuses, a moat, zigzag inner gates, and an irregular keep tower elevated for defense.

Despite its formidable appearance with almenas and drawbridges, it saw no military action, served residentially until abandonment, and survives in partial ruin as a testament to noble prestige in the Alcarria region.