Oropesa Castle, whose construction dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries, is an emblematic example of Moorish military architecture in Spain. Located in the town of Oropesa, in the province of Toledo, it is made up of two linked buildings: the Old Castle and the New Palace. The castle stands majestically on a mound in the Arañuelo countryside, in the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos mountain range, near the border with the province of Cáceres and the well-known town of Talavera de la Reina.

Its history dates back to the Muslim period, when it was built as a strategic fortification, possibly over a pre-existing Roman structure. During the 13th century, under the reign of Alfonso X the Wise, the castle was already a landmark in the region.

In the 14th century, the new castle was built, which became the residence of the Counts of Oropesa and housed the Count's Palace. This castle passed to the Dukes of Frías in the 15th century and later to the Town Hall, which used it as a bullring. Finally, in the hands of the State, it was restored and established as a Parador Nacional in 1930, although this function was suppressed and then re-established in 1966.

The Palacio Condal, residence of the Counts of Oropesa and now a Parador Nacional, is an outstanding part of the complex. Its façade, adorned with coats of arms of the different count families, and the "Peinador de la reina", in a tower attached to the building, bear witness to court life and the splendour of the nobility of the time.

The old castle, rectangular in shape with four circular towers at the corners, retains traces of its former Moorish glory. On the other hand, the new castle, built around 1402, stands out for its imposing, square, five-storey keep, topped by defensive garitons and battlements.

The predominant material used in the construction of the castle is stone, using ashlars for the walls and ashlars for the most visible areas. Stone, which is abundant in the region, was an appropriate choice for this type of building.

The architectural ensemble includes a large parade ground, walls, additional towers and a monumental staircase leading to the different structures of the castle. The conservation of the castle has been a priority over the years, being restored and protected by the Spanish laws that safeguard the historical heritage. Today, the castle is owned by the Town Council of Oropesa and houses a Parador Nacional, being a tourist destination of great historical and cultural interest.

Lovely castle but the swimming pool feels really out of place.   

Great looking castle in a beautiful town

Interesting usage with parts ruined...

DAFlys Posted at 5-6 00:19
Lovely castle but the swimming pool feels really out of place.

Thank you for your feedback! You're absolutely right; the swimming pool might seem out of place in such a historical setting. It's worth mentioning that part of the castle is now used as a hotel, which explains the modern addition. It's fascinating how historical sites adapt to contemporary needs. I appreciate your insight!

This is how you get a little bit of Spain home. Thank you

Codgerzh2 Posted at 5-6 04:21
Great looking castle in a beautiful town

Thank you for your comment! I'm glad you liked the castle. While I understand your expectation about the town, beauty can sometimes be subjective. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for your feedback and hope you still found something enjoyable in the video!

Depp Posted at 5-6 04:49
Interesting usage with parts ruined...

Thank you for noticing! Yes, the castle does have some parts that are in ruins, which adds to its historical charm. It's interesting to see how different parts of the castle have been repurposed or left to reflect its rich history. I'm glad you found it interesting!

MBDS Posted at 5-6 07:27
This is how you get a little bit of Spain home. Thank you

I'm delighted you felt that way! Bringing a taste of Spain to you is truly my pleasure. Thank you for your kind words. If you're interested, there are plenty more pieces of Spain waiting for you on my YouTube channel. Feel free to explore and let me know what you think. ¡Gracias!

Remarkable aerial footage of a majestic castle.    Another great job.  

Discover Spain Posted at 5-6 06:50
Thank you for your feedback! You're absolutely right; the swimming pool might seem out of place in such a historical setting. It's worth mentioning that part of the castle is now used as a hotel, which explains the modern addition. It's fascinating how historical sites adapt to contemporary needs. I appreciate your insight!

I spotted it was now a hotel,   which is a nice way to maintain an historic site like that.

DowntownRDB Posted at 5-6 13:08
Remarkable aerial footage of a majestic castle.    Another great job.

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the aerial footage of the castle. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I'm glad you liked it! If you have any suggestions for future videos, feel free to share. Thanks again for your support!

DAFlys Posted at 5-6 21:43
I spotted it was now a hotel,   which is a nice way to maintain an historic site like that.

Absolutely! You have a keen eye. Yes, the castle has been converted into a hotel. It's part of a network of state-run hotels in Spain called 'Paradores,' which was created to preserve and promote our national heritage by repurposing historic sites like this one into hotels. It's a wonderful initiative that allows visitors to experience the charm of these historical places firsthand. Thank you for noticing and for your comment!

Beautiful structure

Discover Spain Posted at 5-6 23:22
Thank you so much! I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the aerial footage of the castle. Your kind words mean a lot to me. I'm glad you liked it! If you have any suggestions for future videos, feel free to share. Thanks again for your support!

It's my pleasure.  Keep up the fantastic work and I hope you are having a great week.

A J Posted at 5-7 09:28
Beautiful structure

Thank you! I'm glad you found the structure beautiful. It truly is a remarkable sight.

Discover Spain Posted at 5-8 01:34
Thank you! I'm glad you found the structure beautiful. It truly is a remarkable sight.

It looks like it - thank you for sharing

A J Posted at 5-8 02:13
It looks like it - thank you for sharing

Thanks again for your interest and support!

Discover Spain Posted at 5-8 03:58
Thanks again for your interest and support!

What a wonderful place. Beautifully filmed.  A curious place for an outdoor pool, though.

Very interesting

Blériot53 Posted at 5-10 09:34
What a wonderful place. Beautifully filmed.  A curious place for an outdoor pool, though.

Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the filming. As for the outdoor pool, it's actually part of the castle's transformation into a hotel, which adds a unique touch to the historical site. I appreciate you noticing and sharing your thoughts!

Winkiel82 Posted at 5-10 10:15
Very interesting

Thank you! I'm glad you found it interesting.

Discover Spain Posted at 5-12 23:18
Thank you for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed the filming. As for the outdoor pool, it's actually part of the castle's transformation into a hotel, which adds a unique touch to the historical site. I appreciate you noticing and sharing your thoughts!

My pleasure

Discover Spain Posted at 5-12 23:19
Thank you! I'm glad you found it interesting.

My pleasure