Almodóvar del Río - Castillo de Almodóvar

The castle of Almodóvar del Río © Michelle Chaplow
The castle of Almodóvar del Río, a hidden gem indeed. (Click To enlarge photos)

CASTILLO DE ALMODOVAR 

Castillo de Almodovar was restored and expanded by Alfonso XI (the Just) in the 13th century and then Pedro the Cruel, who built the main (Mudejar) part of the Alcazar of Seville. Most recently the castle was rebuilt in the early 20th century century by the then-owner, the 12th Count of Torralva, and his architect friend Adolfo Fernandez Casanova (who restored Seville Cathedral), with 800 workers taking 36 years (1901-1937) to finish the project. Neither man lived to see its completion, and who knows what the Count's total financial investment was, but they saved the castle for future generations. Today, after so many different additions and renovations, the castle's style is Gothic-Mudejar.

Once inside, you can see exhibitions of armoury as well as high-tech 3D projections, with information provided in several languages. The castle, which is still privately-owned, has three towers: Cuadrada (Square), Redonda (Round) and Homenaje (Homage). The views are stunning, offering panoramas of the countryside around the town. You can eat at the Taberna inside the castle, which has two outside areas - a patio with trees, and a terrace with views. Beware: the access road is steep, but worth the drive (and being able to park at the top of the hill, rather than walk!).

Game of thrones in andalucia, Season Seven

Castillo de Almodovar overlooking the Rio Guadalquivir was the location in November 2016 for filming Highgarden, the ancestral home of House Tyrell.

VISITING THE CASTLE

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 11am-2.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-7pm. 
Admission: adults: 7 euros; children aged 4-12: 4 euros: children aged under 4: free.
Various dramatized tours are also available, as well as medieval banquets, at weekends and bank holidays.

The surrounding area is popular for hunting and hiking.

Local gastronomy is based around game, especially rabbit and quail, as well as gazpacho and salmorejo, broad bean stew, migas, meatballs in ham broth, asparagus, and thistle stew. Sweet delights include coconut meringues and wine doughnuts.

The town's main fiestas are the Virgen del Rosario in the first week of October, including the feria; Cruces de Mayo at the beginning of May; and the Romeria de la Virgen de Fatima on teh second Sunday in May.

Almodovar del Rio is located 24km from Cordoba - take the A431 towards Palma del Rio, then take the Carretera de la Estacio, which will take you to the town.