Castle of Benal (El Castillo - 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

Location of the castle of Benal