Castle of Castilnovo

The imposing medieval castle Castillo de Castilnovo in the Spanish province of Segovia possibly has Moorish origins.

Location

The castle lies at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level. inst on a natural rock about two kilometers west of the town Condado de Castilnovo about 13 km ( driving distance ) south of the small town of Sepúlveda and about 52 kilometers northeast of Segovia.

History

Some researchers the origins of the castle until the time of Abd ar - Rahman I (r. 756-788 ) are recycled; others write to her founding the time Almansor (r. 978-1002 ). However, the oldest so far archaeologically proved traces date from the 12th and 13th centuries, ie the time after the Christian reconquest ( Reconquista ) and repopulation ( repoblación ) of the territory between the rivers Duero and Tajo in the north to the south. All six towers of the castle are still younger ( 14-15. Century), other parts come from even before the time of the Renaissance when it was in the hands of the Counts of Velasco. It changed hands several times until the 19th century came into the possession José Galofres, secretary of Queen Isabella II, who medieval building restored - partly reconstruct probably - let.

Architecture

The impressive complex consists of six towers with intervening curtains. While the towers seem more defensible due to lack of windows, parts of the walls are opened to the surrounding landscape through windows or wooden half-timbered balconies. In the towers, there are a few twin window ( ajimez ), elsewhere rectangular framing of window arches ( alfiz ), which has led next to the changing between brick layers and dressed stone stone layers to speculation about Moorish influences - but a lot could be due to the restoration works of the 19th century.

Today's function

In the first half of the 20th century it belonged to the Marquis de Quintanar, which they sold to a Spanish- Mexican company ( Castilnovo SA) rebuilt the entire complex into a hotel with adjoining restaurant.