Castillo de Sabiote
The known history of the castle dates back to the thirteenth century, due to the defensive advantage of the hill on which it stands over the La Loma region. The prestigious architect Andrés de Vandelvira is credited with transforming this medieval fortress into a Renaissance court palace, at the request of its owner, whom he met in Italy, Don Francisco de los Cobos, Carlos V’s personal secretary and later also of his son, Emperor Felipe II.
Together with the nearby Castillo de Canena, it constitutes one of the last two manifestations of stately power over the territory. It is configured as a great sixteenth-century fortress-palace built on the then Calatravo castle, between 1538 and 1549. Unfortunately, the castle was looted and blown up by the Napoleonic troops during its occupation, so only the exterior outline of what was an outstanding work of art remains. It is the oldest example of the Renaissance castle-bastion model preserved today. As a work of defensive engineering, the Sabiote castle’s fortification is based on angular bastioned towers, embrasures, merlons and earspools that recall the repertoires of the Italian treatise writer, Francesco di Giorgio, and anticipate defensive schemes from the seventeenth century, such as the towers of pentagonal plant. It also incorporates aesthetic refinements such as the frieze of the entablature with grotesques or the classicism of the Plateresque portal that shows the coats of arms of its promoters, Don Francisco de los Cobos and Doña María. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest, the castle has been declared a Historic-Artistic Monument since 1931 and its walled enclosure a Historic-Artistic Site since 1972. In 1993, the Junta de Andalucía granted special recognition to the castles of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.
Location
Located on Calle Castillo.