Castillo de la Puebla de Alcocer

Castillo de la Puebla de Alcocer is a medieval fortress perched above the town of Puebla de Alcocer, in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura. Built atop a nearly vertical rocky outcrop roughly 550 meters above sea level, the castle dominates La Siberia, a remote and sparsely populated corner of Extremadura surrounded by hills and reservoirs.

How do you get there?

The fortress sits directly above the town, so the walk up from the center of Puebla de Alcocer usually takes about fifteen minutes on foot. The final stretch climbs steeply over bare rock, so sturdy footwear is essential — there are no handrails or paved steps along most of the route. Cars can reach the town itself, but the last leg to the castle is on foot only.

What will you see once you're up there?

The castle follows an irregular layout that hugs the shape of the rock it stands on. Its outer walls are 2 to 3 meters thick and almost windowless on the outside, a design meant to make the fortress nearly impossible to storm. The standout feature is the cylindrical Tower of Homage, where bands of brickwork mark different building phases across the centuries. The main gate still has its original pointed arch and a defensive opening above it, once used to drop projectiles on attackers. Holes in the interior walls, left by long-gone wooden beams, show where three residential floors used to stand. Several architectural details also reveal the hand of Mudéjar craftsmen.

From the top, the view stretches out over the Serena and Orellana reservoirs — among the largest artificial lakes in Spain — and across the dry, scattered hills of La Siberia.

A bit of history

The first structure on this site dates back to the 12th–13th centuries, but the castle's current form comes from a major rebuild in 1445, ordered by Gutierre de Sotomayor after King John II of Castile granted him these lands. By the late 15th century, the castle passed to Elvira de Zúñiga through inheritance and marriage. Since September 3, 1991, it has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural, Spain's designation for sites of cultural heritage.

When should you visit?

Spring (March to May) and early autumn (September to October) are the best times, when Extremadura's temperatures are mild enough for the steep, shadeless climb. Summers here get brutally hot, and there's no shade along the trail up. Early morning or late afternoon visits are recommended — the light is softer, and the views over the reservoirs are at their best.

Frequently asked questions

Is the castle open to visitors? Yes. Following a recent restoration, it's accessible on foot, and visitors can tour the walls, the courtyard, and the tower. There's a small entrance fee, and it's worth checking exact opening hours with the Puebla de Alcocer town hall.

Is the hike up difficult? It requires a reasonable level of fitness — the final stretch is steep, rocky, and unpaved. It's not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.

Why does the castle look the way it does today? Its current form dates from the 1445 rebuild commissioned by Gutierre de Sotomayor, although the first fortifications on the site go back to the 12th–13th centuries.

What can you see from the top? A sweeping view of the La Siberia region, including the Serena and Orellana reservoirs, among the largest in Spain.