Located on the outskirts of the city, this imposing castle dates back to 1236 when it was built by King Ferdinand III as a fortress for his troops. The castle has been used for many purposes over the centuries, including being a royal residence and even serving as a prison during the 19th century.
Today, visitors can explore its impressive grounds, which are filled with lush gardens and winding pathways. Inside, visitors will find several rooms that have been carefully preserved from their original state, such as the Banqueting Hall where kings would dine with their courtiers or entertain guests. Other highlights include two chapels dedicated to Saint Isidore and Saint John respectively, along with various other chambers like those used for meetings or religious services.
One particularly interesting feature is that there are still traces of Roman walls visible around certain parts of the castle, which shows how old some sections actually are. What’s more, this site also contains tombs belonging to members of both Christian royalty and high-ranking clergymen – making it an incredibly important archaeological site, too.
For anyone interested in learning about Spanish history, then visiting Castle de los Reyes Cristianos should definitely be on your list.
