Castle of Las Seguras

Castillo de Las Seguras is a fortified manor house standing roughly 11 km south of Cáceres, right on the EX-100 regional road linking Cáceres to Badajoz, close to the banks of the Salor river. From the outside it reads as a full-blown medieval castle, complete with towers, battlements and arrow slits — but that dramatic silhouette is largely a 20th-century creation, built up around the core of a much older defensive structure.

How do you get there?

The easiest way in is by car from Cáceres along the EX-100 toward Badajoz — the drive takes only about fifteen minutes. The building sits directly beside the road, on the left as you head south, surrounded by the open farmland typical of this part of Extremadura. There's no regular public transport out this way, so a car is really the only practical option.

What will you see?

The oldest and most valuable part of the complex is the corner keep, dating from the late 15th century — a square-plan tower with two floors and a rooftop terrace. The ground floor is covered by a barrel vault, the upper floor by a ribbed vault, and each level has its own independent entrance, a defensive feature typical of these fortified "casa-torre" towers that let a floor be sealed off in case of attack.

The fortification's origins go back to the 14th century, but the property really took shape at the end of the 15th century, when the land passed to the Ovando family. Through the 16th century further wings were added, turning the tower into a full-fledged "casa fuerte," a fortified family residence. The decisive transformation, though, came in the first quarter of the 20th century: restoration work begun around 1919, with a major rebuild around 1929, gave the structure its present picture-book "castle" appearance — turrets, battlements, arrow slits, ornamental portals and windows were added, layering a neo-medieval fantasy on top of an authentic historical core.

It's worth noticing the contrast between the plain stone of the 15th-century tower and the more decorative additions from the 20th century — that juxtaposition of eras is exactly what makes Las Seguras such an interesting case of a historic defensive building being reimagined.

When should you visit?

Extremadura's summers are hot and dry, so spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) offer the most comfortable conditions for exploring the area, with milder temperatures and the surrounding dehesa landscape — pastures dotted with cork oaks — looking its best. In summer, aim for a morning visit and avoid the midday heat.

Practical information

Castillo de Las Seguras remains privately owned, functioning as a residence and, in part, as a venue for private events. Interior visits aren't freely open to independent travelers without prior arrangement, so it's worth checking current access details with local tour operators or the tourist information office in Cáceres before planning a trip. The exterior alone, clearly visible from the public road, already makes for a worthwhile stop for anyone driving between Cáceres and Badajoz.

Frequently asked questions

Is Castillo de Las Seguras a genuine medieval castle? Only in part. Its oldest element — the corner keep — dates to the late 15th century, but most of the castle-like look you see today comes from a thorough rebuild carried out in the first quarter of the 20th century.

How far is it from Cáceres? About 11 km south, right on the EX-100 road toward Badajoz — around a fifteen-minute drive.

Can you visit the inside of the castle? It's a private property, so independent visitor access is limited. Check current visiting arrangements with the local tourist information office before you go.

Who owned the castle? The land was acquired at the end of the 15th century by the Ovando family, who expanded the original tower into a fortified family residence over the following century.