History of Castril
The history of Castril dates back to prehistoric times, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds in the area. During the Iberian period, the region was inhabited by the Bastetani tribe, who built a fortified settlement in the area known as “El Castellón”. This site was used by both the Bastetani and later the Romans as a strategic position due to its location on a high hill overlooking the Castril River.
With the arrival of the Romans, Castril became an important military and economic center. The Romans built a fortress and a network of roads in the region. They also exploited the area’s natural resources, such as mining and agriculture.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Castril was occupied by the Visigoths and later by the Arabs during the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. During the period of Muslim rule, the town acquired the name Qaṣṭīl, which means “castle” in Arabic. The Arab presence left a significant mark on the architecture and culture of the area.
In the thirteenth century, during the Christian Reconquista, Castril was conquered by the troops of King Alfonso VIII of Castile. Later, the town became part of the Kingdom of Granada under Nasrid rule.
In 1488, the fortress surrendered to the forces of the Catholic Monarchs. After the capture of the fortress, the original population practically abandoned the town, either because they were families of the Nasrid forces or out of fear of the new conquerors; the result was the almost complete depopulation of the village.
The Catholic Monarchs granted the Lordship of Castril to their secretary, Hernando de Zafra, as a reward for his many services. Given that Don Hernando, besides being a loyal servant of the monarchs, was also a businessman, he quickly realized that he could obtain little income from a sparsely populated place, especially considering the expenses of maintaining the fortress and its garrison. Therefore, on September 13, 1490, he granted a town charter for the repopulation of Castril. Interestingly, this was the first town charter not granted or promoted directly by the royal power in the new territories conquered from the Nasrids.
Today, Castril is known for its natural beauty and mountainous surroundings. The Castril Natural Park, located nearby, offers a great diversity of landscapes and is a popular destination for rural tourism and hiking.