Castillo de Reina: A Historic Almohad and Order of Santiago Fortress in Spain

Visitor Information

Google Rating: 4.5

Popularity: Low

Country: Spain

Civilization: Early Modern, Medieval European, Medieval Islamic

Site type: Military

Remains: Castle

History

Castillo de Reina is located on a hill within the municipality of Reina, in modern-day Spain. This fortress was originally built by the Almohad Muslim forces during the late 12th century as part of their military network in the region.

In its earliest phase, during the latter third of the 12th century, Castillo de Reina formed a crucial link in the Almohad defensive line across the Sierra Morena mountains. Along with the nearby fortress of Montemolín, it served to protect the southern territories, including the important cities of Córdoba and Sevilla, from advancing Christian armies during the period known as the Reconquista. The castle’s position on elevated terrain enabled it to control the surrounding landscape and provide strategic support to Almohad military efforts.

The castle changed hands in 1246, when King Fernando III, often called ‘the Saint,’ captured it amid his campaigns to reclaim territory for the Christian kingdoms. Following its conquest, Fernando III granted the castle to the Order of Santiago, a military and religious order active in the Reconquista. This order established a large territorial commandery, or Encomienda, centered at the castle. Under their stewardship, significant construction and reinforcement occurred, particularly in the late 15th century during the leadership of Master Alonso de Cárdenas. These works included raising the castle’s defensive walls and building new residential and utility structures to accommodate the commandery’s needs.

Beginning in the 17th century, the fortress gradually fell into disuse and was largely abandoned. Over time, without regular maintenance or occupation, Castillo de Reina entered a state of decline, leading to the deterioration of its structures.

Remains

The remnants of Castillo de Reina reveal a fortress originally designed with an irregular perimeter wall that closely follows the natural shape of the hill upon which it stands. This defensive strategy, typical of Almohad architecture, took advantage of the terrain to strengthen the castle’s protection. The initial walls were constructed using rammed earth, also known as tapial, a technique involving compacting earth within wooden molds called formworks to create sturdy and thick fortifications.

Several towers punctuate the perimeter walls, offering varied designs. Among these are rectangular towers, some integrated directly into the curtain wall and others standing apart as albarrana towers—detached defensive structures linked to the main wall by a bridge or corridor. Notably, one tower features a distinctive shape, starting with a square base that transitions to an eight-sided (octagonal) upper section, reflecting a style that may have facilitated improved defense or observation.

After ownership passed to the Order of Santiago, the walls were reinforced and heightened using stone masonry. Inside the fortress, constructions from the 15th and 16th centuries include a governor’s residence called “the palace,” likely positioned on the site of the original Muslim alcázar—the central fortified area of the castle. This reflects the transformation of the fortress from a purely military installation into a commandery with administrative and residential functions.

Service buildings within the enclosure comprise living quarters, cisterns (known as aljibes) for collecting and storing water, and stables for horses. A chapel built in the Gothic style, referred to as an ermita, also stands within the fortress grounds, illustrating the religious role of the Order of Santiago in this location. Overall, the surviving elements document a layered history of military use, adaptation, and habitation spanning from the 12th through the 16th centuries.