Torrelobatón Castle is situated in the province of
Valladolid in Castile, Spain. Built as an expression of the strength of the influential
Enríquez family, whose capital was at Medina de Rioseco, the castle is one of the most
important and best-preserved fortresses in Valladolid.
Torrelobatón Castle History
The castle was begun in 1406, when Don Alfonso Enríquez, 1st Admiral of
Castile, obtained licence from John II to erect a fortress in Torrelobatón; the only
fortification there was a modest stone enclosure surrounding the village. The castle was
involved in the Comunera rebellion against Charles I (Holy Roman Emperor Charles V).
The Torrelobaton Castle is situated on the
outskirts of the village on almost the same level, as is the case with many 15th-century
seigneurial Castilian fortresses. It has a square ground-plan, with circular turrets at three
of the corners and the keep set into the fourth, protecting the gate. The castle was surrounded
by an enceinte, of which there are some remains, and a ditch, now mostly filled in.
The entrance to the Torrelobaton Castle courtyard is
through a gate with a round-headed arch protected by a portcullis. The keep is the most
interesting feature of the fortress. Of considerable height, the upper part is protected by
eight turrets supported on accordion brackets, one at each corner and one in the middle of each
wall .
The castle, constructed in limestone ashlar, belongs to a large group of
Castilian fortresses of which the most outstanding feature is the keep, often reaching
monumental proportions. In addition to the defensive function, the keep served to intimidate
the population and discourage rebellion, especially if sited, as at
Torrelobatón, on the side of the castle nearest the village.
Torrelobatón Castle otherwise lies in the tradition of
seigneurial fortresses that, except in some older castles or in those built on raised ground,
have a quadrilateral ground-plan with the keep set into one of the corners. The most unusual
features of Torrelobatón are the turrets on the keep and the straight parapet.
Torrelobatón
Castle
Map&Location
Address: Castillo de
Torrelobatón, Camino de Castillo, 47134
Torrelobatón, Spain. Get help with
directions:
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Torrelobatón Castle in a larger map
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Torrelobatón Castle Photos
Click to enrlage the photos - Photos © Bizantine
Torrelobatón Castle
Torrelobatón Castle (2)
Torrelobatón Castle keep
Torrelobatón Castle detail
Torrelobatón Castle detail
Torrelobatón Castle tower
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