VILLENA

ATALAYA CASTLE

ATALAYA CASTLE

This 12th century fortress offers unique vaults, rich history and graffiti reflecting key conflicts, making it a cultural destination not to be missed.
Built by the Almohads at the end of the 12th century, this fortress stands out for its unique vaults in Spain, shared only with the fortress of Biar. Conquered by James I in 1240, it became the residence of nobles such as Don Juan Manuel, author of El Conde Lucanor, and the site of major reforms in the 14th and 15th centuries. Governed by families like the Manuels and the Pachecos, the castle was taken by the Catholic Monarchs after a siege in 1476. Its history spans key conflicts such as the wars of the Germanías, the War of Spanish Succession, and the War of Independence, visible in its walls and historical graffiti. An essential architectural and cultural emblem in Villena.