Castle of El Barco de Avila: A Fortress Repopulated by royalty

Perched on a hill, the Castle of El Barco de Avila, also known as El castillo de El Barco de Avila o castillo de Valdecorneja, offers a stunning view of the valley below. Constructed in the 12th century, the castle was originally built over a Vetton castle that was destroyed by Romans. However, contrary to popular belief, the castle was not given to Don García Álvarez de Toledo by King Enrique II de Trastamara, but was donated by King Alfonso VI to his daughter, possibly Dona Berenguela, and her husband, possibly Ramón de Borgoña, to be repopulated.

In the 14th century, the castle was donated to Don García Álvarez de Toledo. The castle was used as a municipal cemetery between 1851 and 1904. Today, the castle's exterior is in perfect condition after renovations in 1985 and 2004. The castle's original perimeter has been preserved. The castle's main entrance is an arched Gothic door with large dovetails. The castle's tower has been repaired. The castle's courtyard is used for cultural events. A small escape door leads to a hilly area near the river. It is a significant building of cultural interest in Ávila province.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons