The Castle of the Sotomayor Zúñiga and Madróñiz family, also known as the Belalcázar Castle, stands majestically in a mountainous area north of the town of Belalcázar, in the province of Córdoba. This castle is one of the most important monuments in the region, both for its size and for its historical and architectural value. It belonged to the Counts of Belalcázar, who used it as a residence and centre of power. Together with the Franciscan convent, the castle is a testament to the crucial role that these lords played as patrons of architecture and promoters of late Gothic.
Historical Origins
The site of the castle has a history that dates back to Roman times, where a fortress already existed. During the Muslim period, this fortress was continued and reinforced, leaving an important testimony in the outer fence that still exists. This wall remained as the first defensive line with watchtowers over the Caganchas stream.
The Construction of the Beautiful Alcázar
The current castle, known as the Beautiful Alcázar, which gives its name to the town of Belalcázar, was built in the second half of the 15th century. Construction began after Don Gutierre de Sotomayor, Master of the Order of Alcántara, took possession of the fortress in 1445, after it was donated to him by King Juan II. This granite stonework is an outstanding example of the military architecture of the time.
Structure and Design
The castle has a quadrangular layout, with high and robust walls marked by eight prismatic towers located in the centres of the flanks and at the corners. The walls and towers are adorned with a line of modillions that embellish the whole.
The Keep
The most impressive element of the castle is the keep, located on the eastern wall. This tower, with a height of 47 metres, is the most grandiose of all. Its first two thirds have a cylindrical layout with rounded corners, which are offset by stepped pyramid-shaped elements. This design has been compared to that of the Clavero tower in Salamanca, also built by the Sotomayor family.
On the upper body of the tower, the long and short cylindrical sentry boxes stand out, attached to the sides and corners. These sentry boxes are adorned with gigantic shields of the Sotomayor family, with grooved bands that add an ornamental touch to the tower. The ledges of the sentry boxes, characteristic of the flamboyant Gothic style, contribute significantly to the ornamentation of the tower.
Renaissance Palace
Attached to the fortress and bordering the angle from the keep, a Renaissance palace was built in 1539. This palace was designed under the supervision of Hernán Ruiz I and executed by a local master. Despite its current ruined state, the palace still displays the Plateresque finery that embellishes its window frames, similar to those of the sacristy of San Juan Bautista de Hinojosa del Duque. The palace has a strong humanist symbolism, as described in the study by Juan Andrés Molinero Merchán, "Renaissance Palace of Belalcázar. Humanism of the Third Duke of Béjar".
Cultural and Artistic Significance
Belalcázar Castle and its Renaissance palace are outstanding examples of the patronage and promotion of late Gothic by the Counts of Belalcázar. These monuments not only reflect the wealth and power of their owners, but also their interest in architecture and art. The combination of Roman, Muslim and Renaissance elements in the structure of the castle and palace illustrates the evolution of architecture in this region over the centuries.
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