Spain · 14th century
Castell de Vilafamés ranks #7,432 of 9,040 worldwide in the atlas's castle fame ranking, and #387 of the 606 mapped in Spain. Founded c. 1350, it is older than 54% of the atlas's dated landmarks, one of 758 atlas entries founded in the 14th century. 7 more atlas landmarks stand within 25 km. The nearest day-trip guide is Castellón de la Plana, 14 km away. See how Spain compares in the castle statistics.
The Castell de Vilafamés (province of Castellón, Spain) is situated at the top of the town. Its foundations, as well as various documents referring to "Beni-Hamez", indicate its Arab origin.
Conquered by James I in 1233, it has undergone various alterations throughout its history, its oldest vestiges dating from the 14th century, the time when the master of the Order of Montesa obliged the inhabitants of Vilafamés to repair and strengthen the fortifications of the place.
It suffered major attacks during the Carlist wars in the 19th century, and the fortification system was likewise adapted to the new techniques of warfare, a good example of this being the central tower of circular plan, which belongs to that period.
The castle has practically complete walls, and palatial quarters facing the circular keep, with balconies that were once machicolated, and which has now been transformed by a 19th-century intervention in which the arrow slits were added.
In front of the tower there is a rectangular space in the manner of a courtyard, which preserves a cistern, possibly the only vestige of the Muslim period.
Machine-translated from “Castillo de Villafamés” on the Spanish Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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