Castle of Chodes

Castle of Chodes (Castillo de Chodes) is a medieval fortress perched above the Jalón river valley, in the municipality of Chodes, Zaragoza province, Aragon.

Where exactly is the castle?

The ruins sit on a rocky spur known as Peña de Iodos, right at the edge of a gorge carved by the Jalón, close to the present-day village of Chodes in the Valdejalón comarca. The village itself lies roughly 66 km from Zaragoza, at about 470 metres above sea level, covers just 16 km², and has fewer than 150 residents.

How old is the castle?

The earliest written record of the fortress appears in the charter of the Community of Calatayud, granted by King Alfonso I in 1131. The structure itself was raised in the 12th century on the site of an earlier settlement, taking full advantage of the rocky outcrop's natural defenses.

Who controlled it over the centuries?

Ownership passed through several noble hands, including Jimeno de Urrea and Lope Ferrench de Luna. From the 15th century it belonged to the Martínez de Luna family, and before that it sat within the domain of the counts of Luna until 1430, when the county reverted to the crown.

What survives on site today?

What remains is a stretch of rammed-earth-and-stone wall clinging to the cliff edge above the Jalón, along with the ruins of a square tower. The overall layout is oval, shaped to fit the terrain — roughly 30 metres along its longer axis and 15 along the shorter one — built in dressed ashlar stone. The site is now protected as an archaeological zone, so visits mean walking the ruins and taking in the valley views rather than a formal museum experience.

Why was the castle abandoned?

In the 17th century the population left the hilltop settlement for the flat land below, founding the new village of Chodes. Architect Juan de Marca designed its centerpiece: an unusual twelve-sided plaza — today's Plaza de España — whose original geometry survives almost intact. It's one of the few fully planned noble settlements from Spain's early modern period, and it makes for a striking companion visit alongside the castle ruins themselves.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

The Jalón valley around Chodes is known for scenic river meanders and sheer rock walls rising up to 100 metres, which draw rock climbers from across the region. Between the castle ruins, the planned plaza in the new village, and the wild river landscape, Chodes makes for a rewarding day trip through the Valdejalón comarca.

How do you get there?

Chodes sits on local roads linking the Jalón valley with Zaragoza, roughly an hour's drive from the city. A car is the most practical option, since public transport in this part of the comarca is limited. A path leads uphill from the village to the castle ruins on the rocky spur.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking among the ruins and along the cliffs above the Jalón, with milder temperatures than the peak of summer. In summer, aim for early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.

Frequently asked questions

Can you actually walk around the Castle of Chodes? Yes — the site is protected as an archaeological zone and open for self-guided visits, though tourist infrastructure is minimal.

Is there parking near the castle? The easiest option is to leave your car in the village of Chodes and continue on foot along the path up to the ruins.

What else should I see in Chodes itself? Don't miss the twelve-sided Plaza de España, a unique example of a planned 17th-century settlement.

Is the area good for climbing? Yes, the vertical rock walls of the Jalón valley near Chodes reach up to 100 metres and are popular with climbers.