Castle of Fuentes de Valdepero

The Castle of Fuentes de Valdepero, also known as Castillo de los Sarmiento, is a 15th-century fortress in the small town of Fuentes de Valdepero, in the province of Palencia, less than 10 km from the provincial capital. The building is so large that, according to local accounts, it could house every one of the town's fewer than 500 current residents.

Who built the castle, and when?

Construction ran between 1442 and 1465, commissioned by Diego Pérez Sarmiento, lord of Fuentes de Valdepero, whom King Juan II named Count of Santa Marta on 15 November 1442. The works were valued at 2,326,875 maravedís, a huge sum for the period. The Sarmiento family had been established landowners in the area since the 13th century, with interests both in the Cerrato region of Castile and in southern Galicia.

After Diego Pérez Sarmiento's death, the estate passed to a collateral branch of the family through Andrés de Ribera, who had married the count's granddaughter, Doña Constanza. It was during his time that the castle lived through the most dramatic episode of its history.

The Comunero siege and its aftermath

In January 1521, the fortress was besieged by Comunero forces under Bishop Acuña. Andrés de Ribera II negotiated an honourable surrender, but the bishop broke the agreement, imprisoning the entire family and looting everything of value inside. The betrayal left its mark on the building itself: when Ribera later repaired the damage, he used the opportunity to fortify the castle further, thickening the walls and narrowing the doors and windows to make it harder to take by force.

In 1531, possibly before those works were even finished, Ribera sold the castle and the lordship of Fuentes to Diego de Acevedo. In 1572, Felipe II created the county title for Juana de Acevedo y Fonseca, who became the first Countess of Fuentes de Valdepero. By 1739, the property belonged to María Teresa Álvarez de Toledo, linking it to the House of Alba — a connection that lasted until 1874, when Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart sold the castle, ending that chapter of ownership.

What can you see today?

The Provincial Council of Palencia (Diputación de Palencia) acquired the castle in 1995 and spent the following 15 years restoring it. The building has been open to visitors again since April 2011. Since 2006, its restored interior has also housed the Provincial Archives of Palencia, giving the castle a dual role as both a tourist site and a working institution.

Guided visits take you through the tower, the main rooms, and the battlements, tracing the history of the building and the families who once lived there. The route winds through narrow passages connecting rooms at different levels, so the castle is not accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. During the summer season, themed "theatrical" tours run on Saturdays at midday — booking ahead by phone is recommended, as spots are limited.

Right beside the castle stands the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Antigua, a lesser-known but genuinely worthwhile piece of religious architecture in the area.

How do you get there?

Fuentes de Valdepero sits less than 10 km from Palencia, making the castle an easy half-day trip by car from the city. The surrounding countryside also offers walking and cycling routes linking this fortress with the nearby castle of Monzón de Campos.

Frequently asked questions

When was the Castle of Fuentes de Valdepero built? It was built between 1442 and 1465, commissioned by Diego Pérez Sarmiento, Count of Santa Marta.

Can visitors go inside the castle? Yes. It has been open since 2011, following a long restoration by the Provincial Council of Palencia. Guided tours are offered, plus special theatrical visits on summer Saturdays.

What happened to the castle during the Comunero uprising? In 1521 it was besieged by Comunero forces led by Bishop Acuña, who broke the terms of surrender, imprisoned the owner's family, and looted the fortress.

Is the castle accessible for visitors with reduced mobility? No. The visiting route passes through narrow, multi-level passages, which makes it unsuitable for wheelchair users.