The 13th-Century Spanish Castle with a Checkered History: Ruins of Valencia de

The Castillo de Valencia de Alcántara, a Spanish defensive building, was first built in the 13th century. In 1220, it was seized by García Sánchez, Master of the Order of Alcántara, during the Reconquista. Located in the municipality of Valencia de Alcántara, this strategic fortress controlled the access to Portugal and was at the heart of military conflicts between Spain and Portugal until the 18th century. The castle underwent significant transformations during the reign of Carlos III in the 18th century. Today, the castle lies in ruins, but some structures still remain, including the Puerta de las Huertas, the main gate, and the Rocamador Church, initially located outside the walls but now enclosed within the castle’s compound.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons