Castle of Guzmán el Bueno

The Castle of Guzmán el Bueno is located on a high outcrop, next to the sea, overlooking the southernmost Spanish city on the Iberian peninsula and one that provides access to the Strait of Gibraltar, and Tarifa, in Cadiz.
The castle is named after the heroic deed of Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, then governor of the fortress. In 1294, the Muslims besieged the castle and, having Alonso's son in their power, urged him to give it up or his son would die. Alonso Pérez de Guzmán preferred to sacrifice his son before handing over the town, and even threw down his own knife from the octagonal tower for them to kill him with.
The Castle of Guzmán el Bueno was restored during the first half of the 17th century, when it was still used defensively as a bastion against the Berber pirates who ravaged these coasts during the 16th and 17th centuries.
In the 18th century, part of the walls of the Castle of Guzmán el Bueno were adapted for the installation of artillery and, during the Peninsular War, it was used as a barracks for the Hispanic-British troops who defended Tarifa from the French army (1811-1812)
In 1989, it was handed over to the civil administration and has been municipal property ever since. At that time, archaeological research work began, which — along with the restoration work that is still going on — affords a better interpretation and greater knowledge of the monument. This will be backed up by the creation of a Castilian-Nasrid visitor centre inside the monument.