Castillo de Almodovar del Rio

Castillo de Almodovar del Rio is a classic castle, built up on a hill by Pedro the Cruel (he also built the Alcazar in Sevilla), and it is imposing from all sides.  Located just half an hour outside of Cordoba, it is a very fun 1/2 day trip.  There is parking right up at the top of the hill, where you can just walk in the front gate, but I recommend parking in the lower parking lot and walking up the 800 ft. high hill, because it is a really nice manageable hike and because it allows you to take in the gorgeous landscape and scenery, all the while thinking about planning a siege on the place.  It would be rough going--you would really need a lot of equipment to successfully launch an attack and it would not be easy.

 

The Castillo de Almodóvar is a grandiose Caliphal fortress, first built in 720 and erected on a high mound along the Guadalquivir River. Square towers flank its towering walls and the entire castle is surrounded by a large moat. During the years of occupation it was a Moorish stronghold and after the reconquest it became the medieval home for members of the Spanish nobility. It gradually fell into disrepair and much of it was plundered for convenient building material by the people of the town but the Count of Torralba rebuilt it a hundred years ago restoring the external appearance of the original Arab fortification.  So what it lacks in original materials, it makes up for in numerous reproductions of things that are congruent with it's history.  The day that we were there, there were dozens of school children visiting the castle, participating in skits and listening to stories of days gone by.  The imposing nature of the castle, and the ability to wander up and down the multiple stairways makes it a very fun visit.