If you like the majesty or the enigmas that castles contain, you undoubtedly have an appointment with him. Belmonte castle, which is already reopened for visits after the confinement period.
Located in the Cuenca province, halfway between Madrid y Valencia, when you arrive at the town of Belmonte You will find the typical scene that you always like to see in a castle.
Of course I mean the image one great fortification located on top of a hill that rises above a town.
I tell you that you will be before one of the best preserved castles in Spain, and if you live in Madrid, in a way it will remind you of the castle of Manzanares el Real.
Furthermore, without knowing it, you may have its image on your retina.
Indeed, Belmonte Castle has been the setting for several filmsas El Cid, Anthony Mann, with Sofia Loren y Charlton Heston as protagonists, and more recently, Joan the Crazy de Vicente Aranda.
All the information in detail
Curiosities history of Belmonte Castle
La history of Belmonte castle It dates back to the second half of the 15th century, when it was built by order of Don Juan Pacheco, whoever had the title of first Marquis of Villena.
Work on the castle stopped in 1472 after the death of Juan Pacheco, which in practice meant that the fortress was not completely built.
It is that time Belmonte castle became one of the leading enclaves of the call War of Succession among the followers of Juana la Beltraneja and the one that later was Isabel the Catholic.
But Belmonte castle It had a second boom after several centuries of almost abandonment.
Eugenia de Montijo in the Belmonte castle of Cuenca
Whatever it was Empress of France, Eugenia de Montijo, as heir to the Villena house Starting in 1857, he promoted restoration works.
The most outstanding result of these works are the galleries in the central patio built in brick, whose contrast with the rest of the building will be striking.
After various stages, including a time in which the Belmonte castle was the venue for a dominican monastery, in 1931 the castle was declared Asset of Cultural Interest.
The most recent notable event has been the restoration carried out in 2010 for its opening for public visits.
What to see when visiting Belmonte Castle
When visit Belmonte castle you will see a triangular structure with a double wall and the central patio restored by Eugenia de Montijo.
The recent restoration has turned the castle into a museum, so that in your route Through the different rooms you will be able to see scenes that remind you of the atmosphere of life in this fortification throughout its history.
Conceived as defensive fortress, but also like palace residence, your visit begins by watching a very interesting and well-made 12-minute film that serves as an introduction.
Medieval rooms in Belmonte castle in Cuenca
In this way you will be able to know the castle history and enter the different eras that have marked it.
On the first floor you will find various rooms with the atmosphere of the medieval times.
There you can see from wooden coffered ceilings, even pretty decorations with stucco on windows and fireplaces, as well as furniture and objects from the period.
La second floor of Belmonte castle is dedicated to the Season of Eugenia de Montijo, in the 19th century, with recreations of various rooms, such as an office or a bedroom.
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The dome with a wooden coffered ceiling in one of the rooms will also catch your attention.
Finally you will climb to the top of the walls, whose perimeter you can walk, as well as climb several of the towers.
From there you have excellent panoramic views of the town of Belmonte as well as the great Castilian landscapes.
Historical reenactments at Belmonte Castle in Cuenca
Nowadays, the castle usually hosts different eventsas historical reenactments, theatrical visits or weddings.
To highlight the celebration of Medieval Combat World Championship which took place in 2014, or the International Medieval Combat Tournament which will be held in 2016.
For its part, in 2018 the conferences took place under the name The Tercios of Spain SXVII, and in 2019 the Historical Recreation Days of the 19th century dedicated to the figure of the aforementioned Eugenia de Montijo, which have been repeated in April 2022.
Therefore, if you like historical reenactments, you must be attentive to the programming of those carried out in the Belmonte castle.
Medieval combat in Belmonte castle in Cuenca
In this regard, the Belmonte castle It has also been the headquarters of World Medieval Combat Championship, with the participation of more than 500 fighters from more than 20 countries.
In parallel, during the celebration of this type of activities, other events are usually held such as a craft market, exhibitions of falconry and practices of archery.
An original pretext to visit this historic enclave.
Schedule to visit Belmonte Castle in Cuenca
The Belmonte Castle visiting hours They are, in the mornings, throughout the year, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m., and in the afternoons, it varies depending on the time of year, between 16 p.m. and 20,30:XNUMX p.m.
Here you have the Updated information with visiting hours.
Throughout the year it is closed on Mondays, except in August and certain dates, when it is open.
Access is up to 45 minutes before closing time.
Belmonte Castle ticket prices
El ticket price for visit Belmonte castle is 9 euros, with a reduced rate of 5 euros for children 5 to 12 years old.
The entrance includes the use of the audio guide, and on long weekends and August the Dramatized visit to Belmonte Castle.
On weekends there is also usually a falconry exhibition at Belmonte castle with a surcharge of 3 euros.
Tour to Belmonte Castle
If instead of going on your own you prefer to go with an organized group with guide in Spanish, you can sign up for Don Quixote Tour of La Mancha.
Leaving from Madrid on an 11-hour excursion, in addition to tour the interior of Belmonte Castle, you will know several corners of La Mancha in The Toboso or windmills in Mota del Cuervo, in addition to doing a Manchego wine tasting.
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You can also see Belmonte castle, although without visiting its interior, if you sign up for the Tour of the best of Castilla-La Mancha which is also carried out in one day leaving from Madrid with a guide in spanish.
Map: how to get to Belmonte Castle
El Belmonte castle It is located 170 kilometers from Madrid, the best route being the national highway that connects the capital and Albacete. taking the detour in Mota del Cuervo that takes you to the town of Belmonte.
The people at the reception leave a lot to be desired. We bought the ticket to see the castle but they told us that just that weekend there were some battles and we couldn't see them: either they were bought to see the battles (12 euros) or for battles and castle (15) but only for the castle there were no tickets. . I do not understand why. We buy the one about the battles. These were done on land that was difficult to access for retired people, with slopes, without chairs for everyone or authorized access, and they didn't tell us anything. When we decide to go out my mother needs to go to the bathroom. I ask and they tell me that there is one in the castle and another in the battle area, but since our ticket did not include the castle, if I wanted to go to the toilet I had to go to the “well-equipped and accessible” area of the battles. Is it so difficult to let a person in need spend a few minutes? Lack of kindness, understanding and empathy. I don't understand that you can work in front of the public with that attitude. Obviously we will not return nor recommend it. As much as the castle was worth it, the people who managed it that day left much to be desired as human qualities. Furthermore, if we paid more than the usual visit to the castle costs, I still don't understand why we couldn't see it, since nowhere did it say that it was a special day with special prices. They gave us neither ticket nor stamp nor proof of payment. Very bad experience in every way
I am sorry to have to say that on November 20, 2017, 4 people went to visit the Castle.
We simply thought the price they were trying to charge for entry was excessive, 9 euros per person, and we decided not to enter.
Keep your Castle but without our 36.00 euros.
I cannot comment on the explanatory video of the story because we had to skip it (due to the box office's recommendation) to be able to see the building.
Today, 18-9-2016, 8 people went to see the castle.
We arrived at 17:30 p.m., with the intention of being able to see it quietly, but we found that they close at 18:30 p.m. (is it winter already??), we have to see it quickly and running and they also charge us €9 per head and the machines that explain what you see, they run out of battery after 10 minutes.
They should update the information because neither the schedule nor the price are correct.
Of course, the castle is beautiful, but to see it calmly.
Good morning, just correcting any errors regarding what was mentioned. Belmonte Castle was completely finished in 1466. Juan Pacheco died in 1474, 3 months before Enrique IV.
The entrance price is not 4 euros, but 9 for adults, 7 for groups, 5 reduced. Includes audio-guide, 12-minute audiovisual as a preview of the proposal of “A journey through history…” from the XNUMXth century to the present. The castle is a national monument and one of the most emblematic in Spain, due to its history and artistic importance. Its Mudejar roofs are among the most important in Spain. more info http://www.castillodebelmonte.com
We would be interested in receiving publicity about your events and making them known to our clients on our page as well as if there are offers for groups. Ask for Teresa, 926545447. Thank you
Hello,
My father is from Belmonte and although we no longer have a house we usually go every so often and the castle is impressive. Another thing that stands out about the town of Belmonte is the cheese made in the same town that prepares it with just the curing that I like the most.