The most spectacular castles in Madrid that you must visit

Madrid’s city is rich in history, and the great proof of this is a large number of castles and military fortresses that houses, which are witnesses of critical historical events that make up the immense cultural legacy of the city and its surroundings. 

There are many localities within the community of Madrid that have incredible buildings dating from the Middle Ages and that today can be visited. So, if you have decided to attend a spanish language school madrid, or if you are planning your vacation to this wonderful city, you should consider visiting some of the most spectacular castles that the capital of Spain has to offer.

Madrid, one of the cities with the widest variety of fortresses, castles, and watchtowers 

The community of Madrid has so many castles and fortresses because, in the past, the territory that the city occupies today has been one of the fixed borders (or “marks”) between Christians and Muslims for many centuries. The mark set in this territory, known as the “Middle Mark” was used for more than three centuries until the city of Toledo was conquered in the eleventh century.

Although they had already conquered this territory, the Christians continued fortifying the area for four more centuries (until 1492 approximately) due to the culture of the time and the territorial character to safeguard the territory.

This is why there is an immense amount of castles and fortifications throughout the community of Madrid, which, according to the registry of the Association of Friends of the Castles, are 104 castles and fortifications that have been registered.

Of course, it is practically impossible to see them all during a single visit or vacation, that is why below we will provide you with a list of the best castles in the area that you should include in your agenda!

In fact, some of them are a must-see excursion for many international students who come to take a spanish course madrid, as they can learn about the Hispanic culture and history while studying the Spanish language.

The castles you must visit.

Choosing the most outstanding fortifications is very difficult because much depends on the taste of each person; especially when we talk about a city with so much historical and cultural heritage to offer. 

However, we dare to recommend some of the best castles in the city of Madrid that seem to us the most spectacular. These places will take you through time and make you relive the times of yesteryear.

Without further delay, let’s see the most imposing castles in Madrid that you should add to your tour of the city. 

Manzanares el Real Castle

This castle was built in the fifteenth century (1475), next to the Santillana reservoir and at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama. It is also known as Castillo de los Mendoza. It is a true architectural gem, and one of the best-preserved fortresses in Madrid declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931.

Its history dates back to the conquest when the area conflicted with the people of Madrid and the people of Segovia. Then it passed under the control of the Crown and was called “El Real de Manzanares”. At the end of the 14th century, it passed into the hands of the Mendoza family, with whom it enjoyed its maximum splendor during the following two centuries.

It is a quadrangular construction, consisting of 4 magnificent towers, apart from machicolations and battlements. Inside, an arcaded courtyard and a beautiful Gothic gallery on the first floor.

Coracera Castle

It is also known as Castillo de San Martín de Valdeiglesias. It was built in the XV under the orders of Álvaro de Luna, the most powerful man in medieval Spain. It was restored several times, and today, it is preserved in very good condition. The castle has a square floor plan built in granite stone, with three cylindrical towers at the corners and a fourth larger, the Torre del Homenaje.

Buitrago de Lozoya Castle

This fortification is unique, it has a perfect system of walls, excellently preserved. This enclosure was built in the fifteenth century in a Gothic-Mudejar style. Although this castle is being restored, it can be visited to see its main facade. Its greatest attraction is its access door, without forgetting its covering vaults, formed by semicircular arches.

This fortress was declared a National Monument in 1931 and a Site of Cultural Interest and Historic-Artistic Site in 1993.

Chinchon Castle

This castle has suffered severe fires and terrible military sieges throughout its history, however, its beauty and excellent state of conservation are more than enough reasons for it to be named a Historic-Artistic Site in 1974.

It is also known as Castillo de los Condes and was built in the fifteenth century. This great fortress has two rectangular bodies with corners finished in their towers and sits on a primitive fortress where the Chinchón lordship was located. We recommend you see the moat, which is still preserved, and inside, you can see a central patio from which several beautiful galleries are distributed.

Castle of Batres

This castle looks like a fairytale, in fact, it is one of the most visited in Spain due to its beauty, and of course also for its history. It is called by different names: Castillo de Batres, Castillo de Garcilaso de la Vega and Casa Fuerte de Batres.

It is a fortress-palace that performs palatial functions rather than defensive or military ones. It was forged during the Renaissance, between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, in the south of Madrid. Originally, it was owned by the Lords of Batres.

This palace is one of the best-preserved in Madrid and was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1970, thanks to its splendid beauty, where its 25-meter-high Torre del Homenaje stands out as its wrought-iron balcony.

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