Top 5 Castles around Barco Avila-Piedrahita

Valdecorneja Castle, located in El Barco de Ávila, is a medieval gem that dominates the Tormes River valley from a strategic, elevated position. It is one of the most emblematic monuments in the province of Ávila and a must-see for history and architecture lovers.

Visiting El Barco de Ávila is an excellent option for a cultural and natural getaway at any time of year. This medieval town, located in the Alto Tormes region and at the gateway to the Sierra de Gredos, combines history, architecture, landscapes, and gastronomy in a charming way.

Built on a Vettonian fort that was destroyed by the Romans, it was built in the 12th century and rebuilt in the 14th century. After being conquered from the Arabs, King Alfonso VI donated the Lordship of Valdecorneja to his daughter and son-in-law, Ramon de Borgoña, for repopulation. At the beginning of the 14th century, Henry II of Trastamara donated these lands to the House of Alba in the person of Don García Álvarez de Toledo. The House of Alba was responsible for building the castle. Grand Duke Don Fernando Álvarez de Toledo had his second residence here. During the Peninsular War, it suffered significant deterioration, not only due to the war itself but also because its stones were used to build private homes. The old interior arcade (which apparently formed a double gallery on the inside of the tower) was dismantled and rebuilt to provide arcades for the town hall building, located in the Plaza Mayor. Between 1851 and 1904, the interior of the castle grounds was used as a municipal cemetery, which further deteriorated its condition. Today, the exterior is in perfect condition after restorations carried out in 1985 and 2004, preserving its original perimeter. The pavement and part of the keep were repaired. Access to the monument is free, and visitors can see the well located in the center of the courtyard, a vaulted cistern excavated in the subsoil rock, and the ancient windows and oriel windows with double pointed arches. The courtyard is used for certain cultural events held in this town.

Beautiful castle that is located at the top of the town of El Barco de Ávila and that shows us the history that the town had in ancient times. Even running its walls are beautiful!

Right at the top of the town of El Mirón there is a hill with an old tower/castle from past times that offers impressive views of the town and the area as a whole.

Views from the Castle of El Mirón from where you can see a great view of the landscape of the area. The old castle can be visited without any problem, but with a road bike it is complicated, you can go with it on your back. Nice castle!

Beautiful castle that is located at the top of the town of El Barco de Ávila and that shows us the history that the town had in ancient times. On arrival at the town you can see the towers and walls.

El Barco de Ávila is an outstanding town in the Tormes Valley, the town center has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site, it has a superb castle built in the 12th century on the remains of a primitive Veton fort and rebuilt in the 14th century. It preserves part of the medieval walls and has a Romanesque-style bridge over the River Tormes built in the Middle Ages. In the streets there are stately homes, arcaded squares, cobbled floors, fountains and a rich ethnographic, artistic and monumental heritage. The cycling trip leaves from the Plaza de España, which is always lively with the atmosphere of the terraces and shops, there is also the tourist office in the popular Casa del Reloj. The route passes by the side of the church and goes down to the medieval bridge, the best way to leave the town of Tormes. On the western shore is the hermitage of Christ and on the right the first steep slope of the route appears, but it does not last long, the path crosses the main road and continues straight ahead along a livestock alley that is only used by cyclists and hikers. The surface is slow and entertaining, there is a lot of grass and flooded sections may appear depending on the season.