Castle of Benal (León)

South view of the castle

The castle of Benal (also known as Benar castle, Beñal castle, or Venal castle) is an Omaña fortress located in the town of El Castillo, part of the municipality of Riello in the province of León. It has a triangular layout, probably dictated by the topography of the hill on which it sits. The homage tower and some walls still remain. Built on an ancient Roman fort, it appears as Benal fort in a 1366 document, by which King Henry II of Trastámara granted it to Juan González Bazán. Nine years later, it passed into the possession of Diego Fernández Quiñones by his father's will, making it the first patrimonial fortress of the Quiñones family.