Castillo de la Mota, Medina del Campo, Valladolid, Spain

A castle that was begun in 1440, although most of the work dates from the era of Ferdinand and Isabella. The moat, sloping walls, different types of defensive ramparts and high castle lead to the conclusion that it was designed to withstand artillery attacks.

Location
This castle is on the same site of the old city of Medina del Campo in Valladolid province, 52 kms from the capital. Located near the confluence of the rivers and Zapardiel Adajuela, this gargantuan fortress rises majestically on a knoll in the middle of the Castilian plain.

History
The current castle houses paintings of XII century, probably of Arab origin, built in the XIII, XIV and XV, with important works by Henri IV and the Catholic monarchs in the fifteenth century. The present castle was built in 1440, according to the orders of King John II of Castile, the Fonseca family on the ruins of a Moorish castle. Designed by Fernando Alonso Carreño and Child, and constructed by two Arab artists, Abdala and Ali de Lerma. In times of Ferdinand and Isabella, was strengthened and became the best European castle in the transient mode.

In the castle lived Juana la Loca. He was later imprisoned along with other important figures in political life. Cesare Borgia was imprisoned here, an intriguing character of political life from the Renaissance to the Grand Master who was imprisoned in Naples. Locked in the castle, managed to escape thanks to the complicity with the Count of Benavente. He took refuge in Navarre and the King, Juan de Albrit, was the brother of his wife.

Description
The castle has two areas

The outdoor area consists of the barbican which completely surrounds the castle, made of concrete and brick, and is decidedly Moorish. It was reached by crossing the moat by a drawbridge, fixed today, defended by round towers. In this enclosure are complicated underground shooting galleries, warehouses, dungeons and passageways. On the entrance door are the arms of the Catholic Kings.

The inner enclosure consists of four towers and a square courtyard which have different units of the castle, wineries, stables, etc. .. This site is contains a narrow chamber of the fifteenth century, covered with Moorish-style polychrome ceiling, called Mirador de la Reina.

The fabulous keep, the highest of Castile, was built in the fifteenth century during the reign of the Catholic Kings. It is a thick tower 40 meters high built of brick, having two sentry and is topped by a crenellated balcony. It has several floors and vaulted chambers is decorated with rich Mudejar coffered ceiling.

Materials
There are preserved remains of lime mortar and pebbles belonging to a former castle (XII century). The walls of this castle are made of concrete at the time and are clad in pink brick and made in Moorish style, prevailing in those years.

Ownership and Use
It is owned by the Junta de Castilla y Leon and is used as a centre for conferences, courses, seminars, etc. And tourist use.

Visits
You can visit the interior.

Monday through Saturday morning and afternoon. Sundays and holidays open from 11.00 to 14.00h.

Guided tours are conducted from the Visitor Reception Centre (opposite the castle),

telephone 983 810 063.

information in the

Tourist Office,

Plaza Mayor Hispan. 27,

phone 983 811 357,

or the Ministry of Education and Culture,

telephone 983 800 552.

Protection
It was declared a national monument by Royal Decree of November 8, 1904. Under the protection of the general declaration of the Decree of April 22, 1949, and Law 16/1985 on Spanish Historical Heritage.

Around
More information about mounmentos of all kinds in the province of Valladolid in www.monumentalnet.org

Castles in Spain

The Alcázar of Segovia

The Alcázar of Segovia (literally, Segovia Castle) is a stone fortification, located in the old city of Segovia, Spain. Rising out on a rocky crag above the confluence of the rivers Eresma and Clamores near the Guadarrama mountains, it is one of the most distinctive castle-palaces in Spain by virtue of its shape - like the bow of a ship. The Alcázar was originally built as a fortress but has served as a royal palace, a state prison, a Royal Artillery College and a military academy since then.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1zar_of_Segovia

The Alcázar of Seville
The Alcázar of Seville (Spanish "Reales Alcázares de Sevilla" or "Royal Alcazars of Seville") is a royal palace in Seville, Spain, originally a Moorish fort.

The Almohades were the first to build a palace, which was called Al-Muwarak, on the site of the modern day Alcázar. The palace is one of the best remaining examples of mudéjar architecture. Subsequent monarchs have added their own additions to the Alcázar. The upper levels of the Alcázar are still used by the royal family as the official Seville residence and are administered by the Patrimonio Nacional.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alc%C3%A1zar_of_Seville