Castle of Muñatones

Muñatones Castle is a medieval fortress in the San Martín district of Muskiz, a municipality in Biscay, in the Basque Country. It stands as the only castle in Biscay that still preserves most of its original architectural features, making it a distinctive landmark within the Enkarterri region.

How do you get there?

Muskiz sits in the western part of Biscay, close to the border with Cantabria, in the valley of the Barbadún River. From Bilbao, the drive takes roughly thirty minutes, mostly along the A-8 motorway toward Santander, with a short detour to reach Muskiz. The castle stands on the edge of town, in the San Martín neighborhood, and is well signposted as part of the local stretch of the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route. Travelers without a car can take a bus from Bilbao to Muskiz and continue on foot to the castle grounds.

What will you see there?

At the heart of the complex stands a powerful defensive tower, around which the rest of the compound was built up over time. The original tower dates back to the 11th century, and around 1260 Juan López de Salazar erected the proper castle on this site, in the Barbadún valley. In the 15th century the building was thoroughly rebuilt by Lope García de Salazar, one of the most notable members of the family — both a warrior entangled in the bloody clan wars (the bandos) and a chronicler. It was within these walls, while imprisoned late in his life, that he wrote his work "Bienandanzas y Fortunas," a sweeping chronicle of the history of Biscay and the wars between rival Basque lineages during the 14th and 15th centuries.

The castle's architecture reflects a form typical of the region — a fortified tower-house, the kind of building noble families across the medieval Basque Country used simultaneously as a residence and a stronghold. Over the centuries the structure was repeatedly modified to suit the needs of successive owners, yet it always retained its defining feature: a massive tower rising above the surrounding countryside. The whole complex has been designated a Monumental Ensemble (Conjunto Monumental), underlining its status as one of the most significant pieces of architectural heritage in Biscay.

While exploring the grounds, it's worth paying attention to how the tower relates spatially to the surrounding walls and outbuildings — the layout illustrates well how noble family fortifications evolved from simple defensive towers into more elaborate seigneurial residences.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, when the Barbadún valley is at its most scenic and temperatures are pleasant for walking the surrounding area. It's worth checking current opening hours and any cultural events held at the castle, since the site is periodically opened to visitors as part of local tourism initiatives run by the Muskiz municipality.

Frequently asked questions

Who built Muñatones Castle? The castle in its present form was built by Juan López de Salazar around 1260, on the site of an earlier 11th-century tower. It was substantially rebuilt in the 15th century by Lope García de Salazar.

Why is the castle historically significant? It was here that Lope García de Salazar, imprisoned late in his life, wrote the chronicle "Bienandanzas y Fortunas," documenting the history of Biscay and the clan wars (bandos) of the 14th and 15th centuries.

What makes this castle different from others in Biscay? It is the only castle in the province that has preserved most of its original architectural features, making it a unique surviving example of medieval defensive construction in the region.

Which district is the castle located in? The castle stands in the San Martín district, within the municipality of Muskiz, in western Biscay.