Castle of Capilla

Castillo de Capilla (Castle of Capilla) rises on a rocky outcrop above the village of Capilla, in the northernmost corner of Badajoz province, Extremadura. The fortress commands the plains of the Zújar river, right on the border between two historic districts, La Siberia and La Serena, and its weathered stone silhouette is visible long before you reach the village itself.

Who first settled this hill?

Human presence around Capilla goes back to prehistoric times, with cave paintings still surviving in the surrounding countryside. Under the Celts the settlement was known as Miróbriga Turdulorum, and it grew significant enough under Roman rule that Pliny the Elder described it as an "insigne municipio" — a notable municipality. The fortress as it stands today, however, was raised by Muslim rulers: the Arabic name "Kabbal" already appears in Umayyad-era records. The stronghold sat on a strategic route linking Mérida, Seville, Córdoba, Almadén and Toledo, which made it a valuable prize for whoever controlled it.

Why does Capilla show up in Reconquista history?

In June 1226, King Ferdinand III of Castile laid siege to Capilla. According to the Latin Chronicle of the Kings of Castile, the siege dragged on for fourteen weeks, with fighting day and night and the use of siege engines before the Muslim garrison finally surrendered. Knights of the Order of the Temple distinguished themselves during the campaign, and in September 1236 the king rewarded them by granting the castle and its surrounding lands to the Templar master Esteban de Belmonte. Capilla then became the head of a large and important Templar commandery.

What happened after the Templars?

Once the Order of the Temple was dissolved in 1312, the castle passed back and forth between the crown and the city council of Toledo until the mid-14th century, when it came into the hands of Juan Núñez de Villazán, chief justice under King Henry II. In 1382 he sold Capilla to Diego López de Estúñiga, the king's chamberlain, bringing the castle under the Zúñiga family, dukes of Béjar. The Zúñigas rebuilt the old Islamic fortress into a noble residence and made it the seat of their lordship in the region, holding it until 1777, when it passed to the House of Osuna. The Osuna family kept it until 1837, when a royal decree abolished the feudal system in Spain.

What can you see today?

The castle has undergone three archaeological excavation campaigns, which consolidated and restored sections of wall and paving, uncovered the water cisterns in the central courtyard, and revealed the original Andalusi-period walls beneath later construction. Walking the ruins today, visitors can trace the layered history of the site — from Islamic foundations to the medieval noble rebuild — while the surrounding walls open onto sweeping views over the Zújar valley and the hills of La Serena.

How do you get there, and when's the best time to visit?

Capilla sits off Extremadura's main tourist circuits, which is exactly what makes it appealing to travelers looking for uncrowded, authentic history. A car is the practical way to arrive — the narrow roads winding into the village are themselves part of the scenic journey through La Serena. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, since summers in this part of Extremadura run hot.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the castle at Capilla? The fortress in its current form was built by Muslim rulers during the Umayyad period, though the hill had already been settled in Celtic and Roman times.

When did the castle pass into Christian hands? In 1226, after a fourteen-week siege led by King Ferdinand III of Castile.

What was the Templars' connection to the castle? In 1236, Ferdinand III granted Capilla to the Order of the Temple, making it the seat of an important commandery until the order's dissolution in 1312.

Can the castle be visited today? Yes. Following archaeological and conservation work, the ruins are open to visitors, who can walk among the walls and cisterns and take in views over the Zújar valley.