The Castillo de Villalba de los Alcores defensive triangle

The Castillo de Villalba de los Alcores was designed for connection rather than solitude. It functioned as a critical anchor within a defensive triangle, strategically placed to ensure uninterrupted visual contact with the bastions of Montealegre and Valdenebro de los Valles. This purposeful arrangement enabled military units to coordinate and provide mutual support across the terrain with remarkable speed.

There are several theories regarding its construction. One perspective dates the origin to the 12th century, attributing it to the Order of San Juan de Jerusalén. A second line of interpretation points to the Meneses family in the 13th century, citing the presence of their coat of arms on the vault stones. A third possibility suggests that until the mid-15th century, the site was a village with a stone manor house that was later transformed into a fortress by doubling the thickness of the walls.

The structure stands as a unique example of architecture. Records show it was granted to the Order of San Juan in 1140, though some argue the gift was returned one year later. The village was later besieged and penetrated in 1217 during the reign of Enrique I, when local forces eventually forced the king to retreat to Palencia. By the mid-14th century, the area became a site of conflict between Pedro I de Castilla and the infante Enrique.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons