Seen from the plain, the Castle of La Calahorra appears unapologetically severe. Square towers, thick walls, and a commanding hilltop position suggest pure military intent. But this first impression is a deliberate deception.
Built in the early 16th century by Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar y Mendoza, the castle conceals a refined Renaissance palace within its defensive shell. Inside, classical columns, symmetrical courtyards, and imported Italian marble speak of humanist ideals rather than warfare. It is a fortress turned inward, prioritising beauty over battle.
From the outside, it looks like a fortress. Step inside and suddenly you’re in a Renaissance salon that seems to have borrowed the sunlight of Italy for its marble floors. Its isolation only sharpens the effect, rising alone from the plateau like a philosophical statement in stone.
The Calahorra Castle has been the setting for multiple series and films including Doctor Zhivago (1965), Joe the Ruthless (1966), Until his time came (1968), The Wind and the Lion (1975), Tirant lo Blanc (2006) and House of the Dragon (2022), a prequel to the big production Game of Thrones, recreating the city of Pentos .
