10/6/25

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.

Central canvas of the south wall of the castle

Semicircular tower in the center of the sout wall that defended access to the castle

Entrance gate to the castle

Central esplanade of the castle's parade ground

South-west view of the castle

South-west tower

Western canvas of the castle's south wall

Detail of the remains of the south outer wall that protected the castle

South wall

Eastern canvas of the castle's south wall

South-west view of the homage tower of castle

South-east view of the castle

Remains of the south-east tower of the castle's outer wall

Remains of the second defensive belt that the castle had

South-east view of the homage tower of castle

Arrow slit on one of the indoor walls of the homage tower of castle

East wall

Western canvas of the castle's east wall

North tower

Eastern panoramic of the castle

Riello

Riello Town Hall


The town of El Castillo belongs to the municipality of Riello, in the province of León, in the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, in the interior of the Omaña region. The municipality is located in a mountainous area on the southern edge of the Cantabrian Mountains and extends along the middle reaches of the Omaña River. According to archaeological evidence, it was inhabited since the Bronze Age, and during the Roman period, its territory was exploited for gold, at the same time as the acculturation of the Asturian populations who inhabited it. From the 14th century, and due to the concessions granted by King Henry II of Castile, the Omaña councils became dependent on the Counts of Luna, who remained legally bound to them until the 19th century.

Church of St. John the Baptist in Riello

Bulrush of the St. John the Baptist of Riello

Hermitage of the Blessed Christ in El Castillo

Blazoned keep on the outskirts of Riello

Sanctuary of Pandorado in honor of Our Lady

Location of the castle of Benal