The fortress of Peña Felizana in Zaragoza

The Castillo de la Peña Felizana is located on a high point in the municipality of Sos del Rey Católico, in the province of Zaragoza. The area was repopulated by Sancho Abarca in 908 and served as a fortified position on the border with the Muslims from the 10th to the 12th centuries. It belonged to the Crown of Navarra between 1006 and 1054, and was later incorporated into the new realm of Aragón by Ramiro I, serving as a stronghold against Navarra.

Ramiro II el Monje built the tower of the castle. In 1288, Alfonso II of Aragón had to deliver it to the unionists, and in 1364, Carlos II of Navarra signed the acuerdos de Binéfar here. During the Guerra de Sucesión, the site took part for the side of Felipe de Borbón, and after the war, the villa was granted the privilege of carrying a lily flower on its shield.

The villa of Sos sits on a high spur, creating a natural fortress. One of its two prominent points is Peña Felizana, where this fortification is situated. The castle was likely built between 1134-1137. It consists of a small, irregularly shaped walled enclosure with some remaining wall sections and a circular tower with loopholes at one end.

In the center stands the keep, a square tower about 6 meters on each side, built of ashlar masonry and topped with battlements. The access gate opens to the courtyard and is a semicircular arch with voussoirs. Excavations in the esplanade have revealed remains of some rooms and walls.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons