Castillo de los Arcos

Castillo de los Arcos is a medieval fortress standing in the province of Badajoz, in Extremadura, set within a wide stretch of dehesa pastureland a few kilometres from the small town of Almendral. It was raised in the 15th century on the orders of Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa, nephew of the first Count of Feria, on land granted by King Henry IV of Castile. Construction was finished in 1474, and the stronghold was built to guard the western edge of the County of Feria against raids from Portugal while also securing the new territory against the claims of the Badajoz town council.

What will you see?

The castle follows a rectangular layout with cylindrical towers at each corner and a massive keep, the torre del homenaje, rising at its centre. It was built from masonry, dressed stone and brick, and its walls still show fine decorative touches — small corbels set between courses of brick and carefully finished window frames with brick laid on edge. The design echoes the nearby fortresses of Feria and Nogales, built in the same period and style. Following the Comuneros War, the castle was remodelled between 1520 and 1522, giving it the appearance it still has today.

The castle is privately owned and inhabited, so its interior is closed to visitors. You can, however, walk around the outside and take in the architecture up close, while the surrounding dehesa — Extremadura's classic open pastureland dotted with cork and holm oaks — makes for a quiet, scenic backdrop.

How do you get there?

The castle sits roughly four to six kilometres from Almendral, reached by a walking route through the dehesa. Following this path on foot is a pleasant way to approach the fortress, with a calm, pastoral landscape typical of this part of Extremadura accompanying you the whole way.

What else is worth visiting nearby?

Several other points of interest cluster around the castle. About 900 metres away stands the Encina Madre, an impressive centuries-old holm oak that has become a local natural landmark. Just under 600 metres further on lies the El Romo dolmen, evidence of much older prehistoric settlement in the area. The surroundings also preserve the remains of an old hermitage with Gothic-Mudéjar features and the medieval Castillejo bridge, dating from the 15th or 16th century.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you go inside the castle? No — it is privately owned and inhabited, so visits are limited to viewing it from the outside.

How far is the castle from Almendral? Around four to six kilometres, depending on the route taken through the dehesa.

When was the castle built? Construction was completed in 1474 under Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa, though the building was later remodelled after the Comuneros War of 1520–1522.

What other sights are nearby? Close to the castle you'll find the centuries-old Encina Madre oak, the El Romo dolmen, the ruins of an old hermitage, and the medieval Castillejo bridge.