Castillo de Calahorra
It is believed that the castle was built by a Moorish king on the site of an ancient fortification, which may have been erected during the Visigothic period and renovated during the Muslim occupation.
The present castle was commissioned by the Marqués del Cenete, Don Rodrigo de Mendoza, it was built between 1509 and 1512. Having become familiar with the Renaissance buildings of Italy during his travels there, the Marquis was greatly influenced by them and sought to embody this architectural style in the construction of his castle-palace. He entrusted the project to the architect Lorenzo Vázquez de Segovia, who was replaced by the Italian Michele Carlone once work had begun, likely due to disagreements over the design. It is one of the first Italian Renaissance castles constructed outside Italy.
The exterior is crude, with two north-facing towers that are taller and larger in diameter than the other two. There is a single, relatively small entrance gate and the design is military and defensive, giving the building a fortress-like appearance. In contrast, the interior is a beautiful Renaissance palace, designed by Italian artists and featuring marble brought from Carrara in Italy. The palace is centred on a square courtyard, and the lower and upper galleries are connected by a sumptuous staircase. Both galleries have six columns on each side topped with composite capitals on the lower level and Corinthian capitals on the upper level, as well as semicircular arches. There was once a marble fountain in the courtyard, brought from Italy, which was replaced by the curb of a cistern.
The whereabouts of the fountain and the numerous other ornaments adorning the cornice and doorways are unknown. Despite Cardinal Mendoza publicly recognising his illegitimate son, the marquess failed to gain the support of the court members, who refused to allow him to marry a noblewoman. After he abducted her to his distant retreat on the plain of Guadix, he was forced to abandon his castle, Florentine courtyard and all, and never returned. The site is located a few metres from the town.
Opening Times:
Wednesday, 10:00-13:00hrs and 16:00-18:00hrs.
Tel: 667 03 85 23