Castillo de Cuevas de Almanzora

Castillo de Cuevas de Almanzora stands right at the heart of the small town of Cuevas del Almanzora, in the province of Almería in eastern Andalusia. Also known as the Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez, this fortified palace has served for centuries as a defensive residence and a symbol of local power.

Where does this castle come from?

The site sat on the frontier between the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada and the Crown of Castile, so Muslim rulers had earlier built a network of fortifications and watchtowers here to guard the border. After Christian forces took the town in June 1488, during the Granada War, the land passed to the Crown. Around 1507, the first Marquis of los Vélez, Pedro Fajardo y Chacón, ordered a new Gothic-style fortress-palace built over the earlier Muslim structure — the building visitors see today.

What will you see on site?

The castle is a large, walled complex shaped like an irregular rectangle, with a single access gate. Above the entrance you can spot the coats of arms of the Fajardo family, marking the lineage of its historic owners. The complex sits on Plaza de la Libertad, right in the town centre, so a visit fits easily into a stroll around Cuevas del Almanzora.

The oldest and most valuable part is the Torre del Homenaje, the keep — the only surviving fragment from the Muslim period. It measures 16 by 19 metres and has five floors linked by a stone spiral staircase. Climbing through the tower is the best way to trace the building's long history, from Islamic watchtower to noble Christian residence.

What history lies behind these walls?

The castle hasn't always played a purely ceremonial role. During the Morisco revolt it sheltered the local Christian population. It was also a silent witness to a dramatic exodus: Moriscos expelled from the Kingdom of Granada by order of Philip II stopped here to rest for the night. After the seigniorial system was abolished under the reign of Isabella II, the building passed into private hands — families lived within its walls throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century, and it gradually lost its defensive, noble character.

What can you do there today?

The castle is now municipal property, and the town has carried out a series of restoration works. As a result, its rooms today house public spaces, including a museum and a library. Visitors can walk across the courtyard, examine the defensive walls up close, and climb the keep, from where the view stretches over the town's rooftops and the Almanzora river valley.

How to get there and when to visit?

The castle sits in the centre of Cuevas del Almanzora, an easy drive from the nearby Almería coast, close to Mojácar and Vera. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, since summer temperatures in this part of Almería can climb very high. Plan for an hour or two on site to explore the courtyard and climb the tower at a relaxed pace.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the castle? Yes. The building now works as a public space with a museum and library, and visitors can access both the courtyard and the Torre del Homenaje.

Where does the name Castillo del Marqués de los Vélez come from? From the Fajardo family — the first Marquis of los Vélez commissioned the current fortress in the early 16th century.

What is the oldest part of the castle? The Torre del Homenaje, the keep, which dates from the Muslim period and is the only element surviving from before the 1507 rebuilding.

Is it worth combining a visit with other nearby attractions? Yes. Cuevas del Almanzora lies close to the Almería coast, so a castle visit pairs well with time on the beaches around Vera or Mojácar.