Castle of Diezmo

Castillo del Diezmo ("Castle of the Tithe") is a fortified 17th-century warehouse standing on the outskirts of Almería, in southeastern Spain. Commissioned by King Philip III, it once served as a storage depot for agricultural tithes and a checkpoint along the road linking Almería with Níjar. Today, despite its official heritage status, the building faces an uneasy present: informal residents have settled inside its walls, and its physical condition has become a point of concern for historians and neighbors alike.

When and why was the castle built?

Construction dates to the early 1600s, ordered by King Philip III. Its core purpose was to collect and store the tithe — the share of crops and livestock that residents of the former Kingdom of Granada owed to the Crown. Under the tithe system of the period, two-thirds of the ecclesiastical tithe was directed to the royal treasury, and the Castillo del Diezmo functioned as the collection and storage point for that share. The building also handled rent collection from the local Morisco population and helped guard the road between Almería and Níjar.

What does the building look like?

The fortification follows a square layout: a perimeter wall lined with corner watchtowers (garitas) and firing loopholes (troneras), typical of Spanish defensive architecture from that era. Inside the walls sat a large warehouse space used to store grain and other goods collected as tithe payments. In later periods, the surrounding grounds also hosted an agricultural school (granja-escuela).

Why is the neighborhood called El Diezmo?

The castle's tithe-collecting role gave the surrounding area its name — El Diezmo — which eventually passed on to the Almería neighborhood that grew up around it. Through the 19th century, local residents mostly kept pigs, and in 1895 the neighborhood underwent a notable expansion, with around sixty houses built.

Where exactly is Castillo del Diezmo located?

The castle sits within the city of Almería, at the junction of Avenida del Mediterráneo and the road toward Los Molinos. The area remains inhabited today, though it has grown into a dense, urban district far removed from its original rural setting.

What condition is the castle in today?

Since 1949, Castillo del Diezmo has held the status of Bien de Interés Cultural (Asset of Cultural Interest) and national monument, a designation meant to guarantee legal protection. In practice, however, its perimeter walls are described as being in poor condition, and the original watchtowers have been altered with modern additions such as antennas and chimneys. For years, the grounds have been occupied by residents without legal title, who have built informal housing inside the walls — properties that have reportedly changed hands without any ownership documentation. This situation makes Castillo del Diezmo one of the more contested heritage sites in the region: historically significant, yet difficult to access and at ongoing risk of further deterioration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who built Castillo del Diezmo? Construction was ordered by King Philip III in the early 17th century.

What was the castle used for? It stored the tithe owed to the Crown and collected rents, while also guarding the road between Almería and Níjar.

Can visitors tour the castle today? Part of the building is occupied by informal residents and its structure is in poor condition, which in practice limits open access.

When did the castle receive heritage protection? It has been listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural and national monument since 1949.

Where does the El Diezmo neighborhood name come from? It comes from the castle's role as a tithe-collection point; the name later extended to the surrounding Almería neighborhood.