The fortress blown up by General Martín Zurbano in 1839

The Castillo de Guevara sits at an altitude of 661 meters on the Guevara mountain in the Álava region of the Basque Country. Its thick walls of ashlar stone and masonry were designed to control the Camino Real de las Postas al Reino de Francia. It was an important example of military architecture of the time, built in the 15th century in imitation of the Castel Sant'Angelo, with walls a meter and a half thick where many loopholes existed.

The Guevara lineage, who were allies of the Oñate family, established their house tower and castle in this strategic location. The fortress served as a relevant point during the regional conflicts between the Gamboínos and Oñacinos. At its peak, the interior featured an immense western tower, a courtyard measuring 50 meters long by 18 meters wide, and vaulted galleries that housed a kitchen, a guard room, and the commander's quarters.

Its strategic importance eventually led to its destruction. In 1839, the liberal general Martín Zurbano ordered the fortress blown up to prevent its use by the Carlists. Today, only the ruins remain, including parts of the walls, four strategic loopholes, and the imposing western keep.

Visitors can reach the summit by following a path from the nearby village of Guevara. The route passes the Guevara family palace at 603 meters above sea level and a water reservoir at 654 meters before the final climb to the peak. The site remains a visible part of the local landscape, near the Mendixur bird park.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons