Monumental Site of Castle de Vélez-Blanco

Declared a National Monument in 1931, the skyline of the Monumental Site of Castillo de Vélez-Blanco dominates the beautiful Villa of the same name, making the castle of Los Fajardo one of the most emblematic monuments in Almería.

The hilltop where the castle stands shows evidence of occupation since Iberian times, and the Moorish Alcazaba was subsequently built there. Construction of the castle began in 1506 under the orders of Pedro Fajardo, named Marquis of Los Vélez by the Catholic Monarchs. It was decided to build in the Renaissance style, symbolising the spirit of modern times and a break with previous architectural tradition, resulting in the practically total destruction of the fortress in order to adapt it to new defensive requirements and representing the new Castilian lords.

The Castillo de Vélez Blanco comprises two buildings linked by a drawbridge which is the entrance to the second enclosure. The first area, built over the old Moorish citadel, is a an extremely simple quadrangular fortification with certain potential for the artillery. The second enclosure is a fortified palace, presided over by a keep.

The palace stands around a three-sided courtyard, a majestic work in white Macael marble, making it a sculptural gem of the Renaissance period. The courtyard was sold in 1904 and it is exhibited in the “Metropolitan Museum of Art” in New York. There are also elements of the late Gothic style with certain Mudejar features.