The tower Juan de Velasco acquired in ruins

The Torre de los Velasco stands as a weathered remnant of a time when fortifications defined the landscape of Castile. Located in the municipality of Espinosa de los Monteros, it is a structure that remains standing long after its original purpose has faded from the daily life of the surrounding fields. It is a castle that has endured as a notable ruin within the province of Burgos.

Records place the tower in the possession of Juan de Velasco at the beginning of the 15th century. Interestingly, he did not inherit it in its current state of preservation; he acquired the site specifically as a ruin. This detail suggests a shift in the ownership of the land, where a prominent figure sought to claim the prestige of an old fortification.

Known by the local name Torre de la Riba, the tower maintains its own distinct identity as a historic building in Castilla y León. The transition from a privately owned fortification to a public interest site occurred in the modern era, reflecting a shift in how the state views its ancestral ruins. In 1949, the tower received a formal change in status that ensured its survival for future generations.

A decree was signed by Francisco Franco and José Ibáñez Martín to protect the tower, alongside other castles, as a generic cultural asset. This move was published in a state bulletin in 1949, shifting the building from a private relic to a protected piece of history.

Today, the Torre de los Velasco is recognized as a Bien de Interés Cultural. While it is now a ruin, its presence provides a tangible link to the 15th century. Visitors to Espinosa de los Monteros find it as a quiet, solid point of reference, a place where the weight of the past is still felt in the shape of the remaining stones.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons