Spain - Baños de la Encina, Castillo de Burgalimar

The castle in Baños de la Encina has several names: Castillo de Burgalimar, Castillo de Baños de la Encina, Castillo de Bury Al-Hammam, which is derived from the Arabic Al-Hammam Bury, which means "castle of the baths”. The castle, located on a top of a hill above Baños de la Encina is the most important monument in the city.

The construction of Castillo de Burgalimar started in the year of 967 by Caliph Al-Hakam II, as described by a plaque next to the entrance. Originally it was a mighty military fortress in the foothills of the Sierra Morena. It was given over through a treaty by the Muslims to the Christians in 1225. After that it was used continually - by several different ‘owners’ - until the middle of the 17th century. The site was redundant until 1850 when it was used as the city cemetery. This practice continued until 1928; three years later the castle was declared a national monument.

The Bury Al-Hammam castle is one of the best preserved Moorish castles in Spain. The medium-sized stone building has an elliptical design and is surrounded by an impressive wall with fifteen towers and parapets.
The Baños de la Encina Castle is also known as the ‘fortress of the seven kings’, due to the number of monarchs who lived here, including Ferdinand the Catholic.