Castle of La Encomienda de Víboras

Located in the Sierra Caracolera and in the area surrounding Las Casillas, next to Martos and in a natural environment of great scenic beauty, the Castle of La Encomienda de Víboras dates back to the 9th century and stands on a rocky promontory on the right bank of the Víboras River.

It belonged to the Order of Calatrava and was refurbished in the 13th century. Its dominant location enables it to control the territory and the communication routes to the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. On the northern side there is a vertical rock face so there is no need for defence or fortification. The south side is not so steep and it was protected by a wall.

At the highest point above the walls that run down the hillside there is a large square-shaped tower with rounded corners, made of masonry and with its foundations on the rock. This tower has two floors and a terrace. There is a barrel vault in the interior.

Next to and below the tower there are the remains of towers and walls, as well as a cistern covered by a lowered vault. The walls of the cistern are made of very thick masonry, lined with red ochre.