Castillo de la Mota is one of the most beautiful medieval fortresses in Spain — a magnificent 15th-century castle in the town of Medina del Campo, Valladolid province, Castile and León, built from the region’s distinctive red brick in the Mudéjar style and considered one of the finest examples of military architecture in the Kingdom of Castile. The castle’s strategic position on a raised mound (the “mota” of its name) dominates the surrounding plain and served as a royal residence, treasury, prison, and the headquarters of Isabella the Catholic during the crucial early years of her reign.

Quick Facts: Castillo de la Mota

• Best time to visit: Year-round; the red brick walls are at their most beautiful in the golden light of late afternoon
• How to get there: ~1.5 hours from Madrid by car (A-6 motorway); ~30 minutes from Valladolid; Medina del Campo has a railway station with connections from Madrid and Valladolid
• Entry fee: ~€6 (adult)
• Combine with: The historic town of Tordesillas (20 min) and the castles of Coca and Cuéllar

La Mota Castle, or Castillo de La Mota is a renovated medieval fortress named after the hill, where it stands – La Mota. It is located in the town of Medina del Campo, in Spanish province of Valladolid, approx. 150km from the capital city of Madrid. The castle is a great dominant of the whole area.

The fort is protected by the state since 1904, first as a national monument, and later as a place of cultural interest. The castle itself was rebuilt in the 20th century. It was built of red bricks which is typical for that area.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by MANUEL ZALDÍVAR

Castillo de la Mota has two main parts, its own citadel of three massive stone towers guarding the original Muslim town, and the dilapidated abbey of Santa Maria Mayor. Here we find the Gothic church of Iglesia San Miguel with a Renaissance facade and painting by El Greco and a mosque rebuilt in 1341 to the Church of Santo Domingo de Silos. If a hot weather is not a problem for you, you could climb to the tower of the fort where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the whole neighbourhood and the ancient town walls.

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Have you visited Castillo de la Mota or explored Castile’s Mudéjar fortresses? Share your Spanish castle experiences in the comments! 🏰

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