The first official archive of Castile

The Castillo de Simancas stands as a resolute guardian of the past. While its sturdy walls were originally built for defense, the interior has been carefully reimagined to preserve history. It currently houses the Archivo General, which holds the distinction of being the first official archive of Castile.

We must look closer at the layers of its construction. The complex sits upon the site of a former Moorish fortress. In the 15th century, the House of Enríquez constructed a new fortification over the existing ruins. They restored the older walls and integrated a chapel. Later, the Spanish Crown seized the site during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs, utilizing the castle as a prison before transitioning it to administrative use.

The transition to a scholarly hub began in 1540 with the establishment of the archive. Felipe II later transformed the building into the General Archive of the Kingdom. At its peak, the site protected 35 million documents. Following 1492, as the need for large scale defense diminished, the castle was remodeled with Herrerian architectural elements to serve its new role as a bureaucratic hub.

Today, the site remains under government protection. Renovations in 1952 and subsequent fireproofing measures ensure the continued safety of the records. The castle remains open to tourists and researchers alike. Here, you can explore the restored 15th century chapel and observe the heavy stone foundations that still endure.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons