Castle of Villalpando (Zamora)

North-west view of the castle

The castle of the Velasco, also called the Palace of the Constables of Castile, was probably built in the 12th century, during the repopulation of King Ferdinand II of Leon, who granted the town a charter in 1179. It was a lordship of the Order of the Temple until its dissolution in 1312. During the War of the Communities, the castle was burned down, and Constable Don Iñigo built a palace on its ruins. Two canvas of the castle wall remain, and in the north corner, a circular tower, which may have served as a homage tower, is located. In the basement is the dungeon where the Dauphin of France and the Duke of Orleans, sons of Francis I, King of France, were held prisoner for more than two years, hostages of Spain due to the French defeat at Pavia.

North-west wall

Window openings in the north-west wall of the castle

West side of the north tower, possibly the homage tower of the castle

Rectangular embrasure at the corner of the north tower with the north-west wall

North view of the castle

East side of the north tower of the castle