Espelúy Castle

Located in the municipality of Espelúy, Espelúy Castle is located at a strategic control point, very near the confluence of the Rumblar and Guadalquivir rivers. It is of Al-Andalus origin, and after the Castilian conquest by Fernando III it was remodelled during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Within the walls there is a magnificent keep, with a square floor plan, inside which there are two overlapping areas covered by barrel vaults. It was declared to be of Cultural Interest in 1985.

It was the property of the Casa Benavides and was strategically located on the communication routes, where it controlled the crossing over the Guadalquivir on the Muradal road (from Castile to Andalusia). On the opposite right bank Casa Benavides controlled the Casa de la Barca and an inn, called El Toledillo. This was a key nerve centre for trade from the 15th to the 19th centuries. It was no coincidence that in that same place, at the crossing, the boat in which Santa Teresa de Jesús was travelling sank when she was on her way from Beas de Segura to Seville where she was to found a new Carmelite convent. In the end, the accident was just a scare and she was rescued by the people from the castle.

Other information

Only the exterior can be visited