Castillo de Añón

Castillo de Añón is a medieval castle in the village of Añón de Moncayo, in the province of Zaragoza, at the foot of the Moncayo mountain range in Aragón, Spain.

What is the Castillo de Añón?

Construction began in 1238 under King James I of Aragon, with the goal of guarding the border with Castile along the Huecha river route. The building visible today, however, dates largely from the 14th century, rebuilt after the destructive War of the Two Pedros. For centuries the fortress belonged to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, serving as the seat of the Añón-Talamantes commandery until the 19th century. Its role was threefold: defending the frontier, administering the commandery's lands, and protecting a nearby iron mine in the Morana valley, which had its own foundry.

What will you see there?

The castle is a large masonry structure built on a rectangular plan around a central courtyard, with five quadrangular towers along its corners and walls, giving it a commanding silhouette against the slopes of the Moncayo. In the 20th century the building passed into the hands of the Diocese of Tarazona before undergoing a thorough restoration by the Serrano family, who converted its interior into a luxury rural lodging with twelve rooms and two large halls. Since 2017 the property has been run by Curro Fatás, who has kept the medieval character of the site alive.

How do you get there?

Añón de Moncayo sits within the Moncayo Natural Park, one of Aragón's most distinctive mountain landscapes, close to Tarazona. Because the village lies at the base of the massif, access is via local roads through the towns of the Tarazona y el Moncayo comarca — travelling by car is the most practical way to reach this part of Zaragoza province.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn offer the most scenic conditions around the castle, with mild temperatures well suited to exploring the surrounding countryside. Summers can be warm in the lower valley, while winter can bring snow to the higher slopes of the Moncayo, reinforcing the stark, frontier character the fortress was built to embody.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built the Castillo de Añón? King James I of Aragon ordered its construction in 1238, though the structure seen today dates mainly from the 14th century.

Who owned the castle historically? It served as the seat of the Añón-Talamantes commandery of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem until the 19th century.

Can you visit the castle today? The building was restored by the Serrano family into a luxury rural lodging, run since 2017 by Curro Fatás, which preserves its historical character.

What else did the fortress protect besides the border? Beyond guarding the frontier with Castile, it administered the commandery's territory and protected a nearby iron mine in the Morana valley along with its foundry.