Castle of Palenzuela: A Medieval Fortress in Spain

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Country: Spain

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

The Castle of Palenzuela is a medieval fortress located in the municipality of Palenzuela, Spain. Its origins date back to at least the mid-9th century when it was first documented in the year 850, indicating its establishment by the Christian kingdoms during the early stages of the Reconquista, the period marked by Christian efforts to reclaim territory from Muslim rule.

Throughout the 10th century, Palenzuela found itself in a contested frontier area, suffering two raids by Arab forces in 919. During this time, the town was governed by the Counts of Castile, a noble family instrumental in the Christian reconquest of northern Spain. By the late 10th century, the town was granted legal charters, known as fueros, by Count Sancho García, a grandson of the notable Count Fernán González. These charters were later confirmed and expanded by several medieval monarchs, reflecting Palenzuela’s growing importance as a regional center.

Ownership of the castle shifted frequently over the following centuries. In the reign of Fernando III (early 13th century), it was held by Álvaro Núñez de Lara, a powerful noble who lost the lordship when he was defeated, returning the castle to direct royal control. Nearly a century later, in 1295, Juan Núñez de Lara led a rebellion against Queen Regent María de Molina. Palenzuela endured a siege lasting nearly six months during this conflict before surrendering and rejoining the crown’s domain.

Mid-14th century power struggles shaped the castle’s fate further. Pedro I, known as “the Cruel,” granted the lordship of Palenzuela to his half-brother Enrique de Trastámara. In 1356, Enrique besieged the town himself during a rebellion and secured its surrender. He then bestowed the lordship upon his wife María de Padilla. By the early 15th century, the castle was under the possession of Queen Catalina, wife of King Enrique III.

Palenzuela reached a height of political significance in 1425 when King Juan II convened the Cortes (parliament) at a Franciscan convent just outside the town. Four years later, the castle witnessed conflict between the king and Juan of Navarre in 1444. Then, in 1451, the fortress joined several nearby strongholds in rebellion against Juan II and his favorite Álvaro de Luna. The royal forces responded with a siege using artillery, leading to the fortress’ surrender in early 1452. The king awarded the town to his son Enrique, though by 1454 ownership had returned to the Admirals of Castile.

In the early 19th century, during the Peninsular War between Spain and Napoleonic France (1808–1814), Palenzuela experienced multiple occupations by French troops. The commanding officers headquartered in nearby Quintana del Puente, and in 1813 Marshal Soult took over the Jalón palace in Palenzuela, where Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother and installed king of Spain, took refuge before fleeing the country.

Historically, the castle also functioned as a prison reserved for serious or political offenders. From the mid-15th century onwards, a rule forbade the imprisonment of local inhabitants within the castle walls, emphasizing its use for detainees of wider political significance.

Near Palenzuela, another castle once existed at El Moral, near the meeting point of the Arlanza and Arlanzón rivers, but it had disappeared by the early 13th century. This second fortress’s decline underscores Palenzuela’s enduring prominence as the main stronghold in the area.

Remains

The Castle of Palenzuela stands on a prominent terrace overlooking the Arlanza valley from the right bank of the river, near where the Arlanza meets the Arlanzón. This elevated position provided a commanding view of the surrounding landscape, reinforcing its defensive purpose.

The surviving structures reveal masonry constructed from stone, characteristic of medieval military fortifications. Photographs show details of this stonework, which has withstood the passage of time, though the precise layout, measurements, and orientation of the castle remain unspecified. The visible remains suggest a robust construction, likely featuring walls and defensive elements typical of the period, but no decorative details, inscriptions, or dedications have been documented.

While specific internal arrangements such as chambers, prisons, or halls are not clearly recorded, historical sources confirm the castle’s use as a prison for those accused of serious offenses, including political crimes. From the 15th century, however, local residents were expressly banned from being held there, indicating the castle’s role as a detention site for notable prisoners.

No detailed archaeological finds such as tools, ceramics, or religious artifacts have been mentioned in connection with the castle site. The overall condition of the ruins suggests partial survival of the structure in situ, allowing for an understanding of its military function and strategic placement, but leaving many aspects open to further research.

Within the vicinity, the abandoned site of El Moral once hosted a second castle near the confluence of the two rivers. Though this fortification no longer exists, its historic presence indicates the broader network of defensive sites controlling access to the valleys around Palenzuela during the medieval period.