Castle of Narros de Saldueña (Ávila)

South-west view of the castle

The Castle of the Duke of Montellano was likely commissioned by Rodrigo de Valderrávano, a councilman of Ávila, husband of Doña Beatriz de Guzmán, and son of Fernán González de Valderrábano (the founder of this entailed estate). It is also known as the Castle of the Duke of Montellano, a title granted along with the County of Saldueña by Philip V in the 18th century. The complex comprises two walled enclosures: the inner one features high walls with watchtowers or turrets at three of its corners, while the outer one is lower and includes an entrance barbican. The square-plan homage tower stands at one end of the inner enclosure. Its architectural style falls within the Valladolid School; castles of this school are characterized by having been built by noble families who were influential or held significant administrative positions.

South-west main facade of the castle

Barbican featuring the castle's entrance gate

Defensive portcullis of the entrance gate

Eastern canvas of the outer south-west wall

South-west wall of the castle body

Battlements on the south-west wall of the castle

South view of the castle

Sentry box or bay window situated at the upper south corner of the castle

Detail of the stone corbels supporting the bay window

South-east wall

Western canvas of the outer south-east wall of the castle

Barbican projecting from the castle's south-east outer wall

Battlements above the barbican of the south-east outer wall

Eastern canvas of the outer south-east wall of the castle

Embrasure beneath the battlements of the eastern corner

of the castle's outer enclosure

Eastern canvas of the south-east wall of the castle body

Eastern view of the castle

Sentry box or bay window located at the upper east corner of the castle

North-east view of the castle

Western canvas of the north-east outer wall of the castle

Barbican projecting from the castle's north-east outer wall

Eastern canvas of the north-east outer wall of the castle

North-east wall of the castle body

Detail of the window above the north-east wall of the castle body

Battlements on the north-east wall of the castle

North-east side of the castle homage tower

Sentry box or bay window situated at the upper northern corner of the castle

North-west view of the castle

North-west wall

Western canvas of the castle's north-west outer wall

Battlements atop the western canvas of the north-west outer wall

Battlements atop the castle's north-west wall

North view of the castle's homage tower

Battlements atop the terrace of the castle's homage tower

Barbican of the north-west outer wall of the castle

Gateway opened at a later date in the barbican of the north-west outer wall

Western canvas of the castle’s outer south-west wall

Embrasure in the western canvas of the outer south-west wall

South-west side of the castle homage tower

Grille-covered window at the base of the homage tower

Location of the castle of Narros de Saldueña

Narros de Saldueña

Town Hall

Narros de Saldueña is a municipality in the province of Ávila, within the Autonomous Community of Castile and León; it is located in the flat terrain of the La Moraña region. Based on various archaeological sites, it can be stated that the settlement of Narros took place between 1092 and 1150. It is possible that in the 15th century, it attained the status of a *villa* (town), becoming independent from the jurisdiction of the provincial capital. Shortly thereafter, it was granted as a *señorío* (seigniory)—establishing the *mayorazgo* (entailed estate) of Narros de Saldueña—to Don Rodrigo de Valderrábano, a *regidor* (councilman) of Ávila, who was responsible for constructing the original fortress. The *señorío* remained in the possession of the House of Valderrábano until the 18th century, when one of its members, José de Solís y Valderrábano, became the Duke of Montellano.

Church of Saint Martin the Bishop

Bulrush of the Church of San Martín Obispo

Cruise in front of the Church of San Martín Obispo

Fountain located in the Sun Square

Rural bridge or pontoon made of large stone slabs over the Merdero River

Castle of Mota del Marqués (Valladolid)

North-west view of the castle

The castle was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Alfonso X the Wise, on a hill overlooking the town. The original layout consisted of a wall flanked by towers, of which some vestiges still remain. The homage tower is preserved in ruin, the only one with a circular floor plan in all of Castile, with arrow slits for defense and covered by a dome. From 1222, it belonged to the Teutonic Knights of Prussia through Beatrice of Swabia, wife of King Ferdinand III the Saint of Castile, passing during the reign of King Alfonso XI to Juan Alonso de Benavides. During the Peninsular War in the 19th century, it was destroyed by the French invaders.

Detail of the moat on its north-west side between the outer wall and the castle

West side of the castle homage tower

Remains of buildings on the western side of the castle

Esplanade of the castle's parade ground

South-west view of the castle's homage tower

Indoor of the homage tower

Dome of the indoor of the homage tower

Indoor view of openings on the north-east side of the homage tower

Access to a possible defensive point with an arrow slit on the north-east side

of the homage tower

Remains of the south-west wall of the castle

South-east view of the castle's homage tower

Outer view of openings on the north-east side of the homage tower

Base of the homage tower where the connection with 

the north wall of the castle can be seen

Location of the castle of Mota del Marqués