Castillo de los Cornel: A Historic Fortress in Alfajarín, Spain

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.3

Popularity: Low

Country: Spain

Civilization: Medieval European, Medieval Islamic

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

The Castillo de los Cornel, located in Alfajarín, Spain, was originally built by Muslim craftsmen during the 10th or 11th century. Its primary purpose was to serve as part of a defensive system guarding the city of Zaragoza—then known as Saraqusta—and the vital commercial routes connecting the region.

During the period known as the Reconquista, the castle changed control multiple times. After Alfonso I of Aragon captured Zaragoza in 1118, Christian forces secured this fortress the following year. However, control reverted to Muslim hands shortly after this initial surrender. In 1131, Alfonso I recaptured the castle permanently, appointing Fortún Galíndez as its governor to oversee the stronghold. Following Alfonso’s death in 1134, the Almoravid dynasty retook the fortress briefly. It was not until 1141, under Ramón Berenguer IV’s command, that Christian forces made a lasting reconquest. From that moment, appointed tenentes managed the castle until the close of the 12th century.

By the late 13th century, the castle came under the barony of the Cornel family as a result of a donation made by King Jaime II of Aragon in 1293. This period marked a shift from military seizure to feudal ownership. After the barony ended, the fortress passed through several private owners, including Ramón de Espés and the Alagón family, before it eventually fell into disuse and ruin. Alongside its military history, the castle has ties to the nearby hermitage dedicated to the Virgen de la Peña, initially sharing construction materials and a defensive purpose. Over time, this hermitage was consecrated as a church named Santa María, later expanded with a Romanesque apse in the early 13th century.

Remains

The layout of Castillo de los Cornel follows an irregular pentagonal shape, approximately 100 meters in length by 60 meters in width, strategically placed on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ebro River. Natural cliffs protect the site on the north and east sides, while an artificial moat has been constructed to defend the remaining vulnerable sides. Access to the fortress was controlled via a drawbridge set between two towers that flanked the entrance.

Of these towers, one still features a pointed arch doorway lined with brick, though it is presently in poor condition. The other tower is a large square structure measuring about six meters on each side and reaching notable height. Internally, this square tower was divided into two floors with vaulted ceilings; however, the vault on the ground floor has disappeared over time. The towers exhibit pointed barrel vaults, a characteristic architectural feature that enhances their structural strength.

The castle’s northern wall is the best preserved among its boundaries and includes a small gate providing a direct connection to the main keep, known as the Torre del Homenaje or “Tower of Homage.” This keep, dating from the 14th century, was constructed during a phase of reinforcement and is characterized by two surviving thick walls. Its building method involved rammed earth (known as tapial), a technique consisting of compressed earth mixed with binding materials, coated up to half its height in solid brick for added durability.

At the fortress’s eastern end stands a pentagonal tower accompanied by an artificial moat, though this tower has suffered significant deterioration. The castle’s walls, as well as the facades of the nearby hermitage, were originally built using the same gypsum-based rammed earth. This shared use of materials confirms a period when both structures served a linked defensive and military function.

Within the castle grounds, two doors and a pointed-arch window open to the interior courtyard, underlining its medieval architectural style. The vaulted ceilings throughout the towers and main structures display pointed barrel vaults, which were designed to channel weight efficiently and improve the castle’s resilience.

Together, these remnants provide insight into the castle’s historical phases of construction, military adaptation, and its relationship with the adjoining religious site.