Type of monument

Civil Architecture

History

Its name comes from the tradition that says this knight was the first to raise a fortress here in the 13th century, as soon as the territory was reconquered from the Almohades. by the Christians.
It was then to pass to the Infante don Juan Manuel who built a new castle in the town, which was enlarged by his successor, don Juan Pacheco, Marquis of Villena in the 15th century, giving it the aspect it presents today.

Special trips

All the exterior walls and embrasures remain, (the interior is ruined, with the exception of the basements as they have been used as a cemetery).

How to get there

Road transport

It has surprisingly balanced proportions, powerful towers and an extremely beautiful renaissance main entrance gate.

The castle is made up of a square building with strong, well-fortified walls, flanked by bulky circular towers and wide platforms for positioning artillery.

In the 17th century a parish church was built in the enclosure, with its square tower set in one of the wall’s fortifications.

One of the historical events carefully recorded in the town is the death in combat in 1479 of the celebrated poet Jorge Manrique, servant of Isabel the Catholic Queen, as Don Juan Pacheco, marquis de Villena, lord of the castle and supporter of Juana la Beltraneja had prepared an ambush.

It is a castle in transition, with medieval and modern defensive elements, and palatial residences.

Abandoned over the centuries, it was used as a cemetery and the parish church of San Juan is located with in its walls.