What since 1983 has been known as the Community of Madrid has historically been a region of Castile. And if there was something in the center of Spain in the Middle Ages were castles, hence it acquired that name. Since then, Madrid has managed to preserve some good examples. Only one is preserved in perfect condition, although most arrived well until the nineteenth century, when French troops razed much of the heritage before leaving.
Castle of Manzanares el Real
The Mendoza’s is the best preserved castle in Madrid. The pride of Manzanares el Real, a village at the foot of La Pedriza. Its appearance from the outside is that of the prototypical castle that coexists in the imaginary, square and with three crenellated towers.
It was built in 1475, in a display of power by the Hurtado de Mendoza family, who had the support of the Catholic Monarchs. Architecturally, it mixes medieval structures with Renaissance touches and even has a Gothic gallery on the second floor.
Although currently the castle is still owned by the Dukes of Infantado, the Community of Madrid is who manages its use and can be visited.
Castle of Villaviciosa de Odón
The castle of Villaviciosa de Odón is an atypical castle, unique and with a complicated history in which two greats of Castilian architecture coincide: Juan de Herrera and Ventura Rodríguez. The first castle was ordered to be built by the Counts of Chinchón in 1496, but 24 years later, during the Revolt of the Comuneros, the castle was demolished. Four decades later, the same family that had it built commissioned the reconstruction to the architect of El Escorial, who gave his name to the Herrerian style. The Renaissance genius added a tower different from the rest.
In the 18th century it passed into the hands of the Infante Luis, who had his trusted architect, who had designed the palace of Boadilla del Monte, restore the castle. Years later King Ferdinand VI died here and Godoy was imprisoned after the mutiny of Aranjuez. Since 1972 is the General Historical Archive of the Air, but there are guided tours.
Castillo de la Coracera
Juan II’s favourite, Alvaro de Luna, ordered the construction of the castle of San Martín de Valdeiglesias at the beginning of the 15th century. It is the archetypal fortified stately castle of the time, with two defensive walls and a moat, around the main tower where the lord and his entourage lived (with excellent views of the Sierra del Guadarrama). Its most illustrious guest was Isabella the Catholic, who settled here after being proclaimed heir to the crown of Castile.
Castle of Buitrago de Lozoya
Another medieval jewel commissioned by the Mendoza family, Buitrago de Lozoya is only 50 km from Manzanares del Real, but here also decided to leave its mark this powerful Castilian family, it is not known in what exact year, but it is known that this first one was built in the fifteenth century on the remains of a previous castle.
At the beginning of 1800 the French settled there for four years and before leaving they tried to destroy as much as possible. Buitrago, which is a medieval village; however, has the best preserved wall in the region, in addition to the peculiar old bridge with remains of the aqueduct.
Castle of Villarejo de Salvanés
Although only the keep is preserved, this castle is older than all the previous ones and has a different origin. Both Villarejo de Salvanés and the castle were founded by the Military Order of Santiago in the 13th century.
The tower is the only thing that remains of the set of military buildings that were built to reconquer the area from the Muslims. The building continued to belong to another military order, Encomienda Mayor de Castilla, until the 19th century. The Casa de la Tercia, a few meters away, which had the same owners, is another good example of 16th century Castilian architecture. Now the tower is the first museum dedicated to the Tercios.
.