Castillo de Pay Arias

Castillo de Pay Arias is a medieval castle crowning the hilltop town of Espejo, in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia. Also known as Castillo de Espejo or Atalaya de Pay Arias, it has stood on this summit since the 13th century and still belongs to the Ducal House of Osuna today.

Where does the name come from, and what's the history?

Under Islamic rule the site was called Alcalat, Arabic for simply "the fortress." After the Castilian conquest it was known as Specula. The turning point came when Pay Arias de Castro — warden of the Royal Alcázares of Córdoba and chief doorkeeper of Andalusia — was tasked with organizing a settlement here, given its strategic position on the frontier with the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. In 1303, King Ferdinand IV of Castile formally recognized the settlement as a lordship and gave it the name it carries to this day.

The castle itself was built on Pay Arias's orders over earlier Roman and Arab foundations, with construction completed in the 15th century using stone and brick. It has a square floor plan, with a stark, elegant tower of homage (torre del homenaje) rising at its center as the defining feature of the whole complex.

By the mid-19th century the castle had passed into the hands of the House of Osuna. A key moment came in 1867, when the Countess of Espejo, Ángela María Fernández de Córdoba, married Francisco de Borja Téllez-Girón, XVI Duke of Escalona. Their eldest son, Luis Téllez-Girón y Fernández de Córdoba, later inherited the title of XIV Duke of Osuna from his great-uncle, merging the two lineages and their estates. The castle remains the property of the Ducal House of Osuna to this day.

What will you see on site?

Visits are currently limited to the castle courtyard — the rest of the building remains in private hands and is not open to tourists. Even so, the courtyard and the view of the square-plan fortress with its towering keep are striking, giving a real sense of scale for what was once a frontier stronghold. Espejo sits on a hill in the heart of the Córdoba Campiña, so the approach to the castle alone offers views over the surrounding olive groves and classic Andalusian countryside.

How do you get there?

Espejo lies in the province of Córdoba, close to the main routes connecting Córdoba with Lucena and Baena. The castle occupies the highest point in town, so whichever direction you approach from, you can simply head toward the tower visible from a distance. Arriving by car is the most practical option — the nearest major city is Córdoba, from where local roads lead into the Campiña Sur.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the Andalusian climate, spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable seasons to visit, with milder temperatures than the intense summer heat. It's worth checking the local courtyard opening hours before arriving, since access to the castle can be limited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of the castle? No — currently only the courtyard is open to visitors. The rest of the building remains private property of the Osuna family.

Where does the name Pay Arias come from? From Pay Arias de Castro, warden of the Royal Alcázares of Córdoba, who was tasked in the Middle Ages with organizing the settlement and raising a fortress on the border with the Kingdom of Granada.

How old is the castle? The structure stands on Roman and Arab foundations, with construction in its current form completed in the 15th century, though the settlement has formally existed as a lordship since 1303.

Who owns the castle today? The Ducal House of Osuna, which has held it since the mid-19th century.