Can you imagine a castle right on top of a hill, from which the landscape What sights are lost on the horizon, and at your feet, a small town with white houses and reddish roofs?
You can also find this scene in Estremadura.
Specifically, I am referring to the fair castle, small town in the region of Zafra – Bodón River, In the badajoz province, which I had the opportunity to discover during a recent trip to Extremadura.
As you go down the road that from Zafra takes you northwest through the plain landscapes Of the call Mud Land that border the territories of the pasture, in the distance you will see a mountain range, and on the highest mountain it will be easy for you to distinguish the silhouette of the fair castle.
All the information in detail
History of the Fair Castle
With its origins in a ancient arabic fortress of the 11th century, it was part of the kingdom of taifa of Badajoz until, already in 1241, this territory was conquered by the Order of Santiagoor on behalf of Ferdinand III the Saint.
This defensive fortress, with the structure that you can see now in the fair castle, was built at the end of the 15th century by order of Lorenzo Suarez de Figueroa, grand master of the aforementioned order and first Duke of Fair, who resided in the castle that is now the Zafra Parador.
It was then that the current tower of tribute, with a square floor plan, rounded corners and Gothic windows.
Around it spreads a Wall which served to defend the tower.
What to see when visiting the Fair Castle
In your visit to the fair castle You will first access the premises of the Courtyard of Tribute and you can tour the Wall from where you will have excellent Panoramic views of this region of Badajoz.
La tower of tribute It was renovated very recently, in September 2013, so that it has incorporated a Interpretation Center.
You will access the interior of the tower through a door decorated with Manueline style.
During your visit you will be able to see the small museum on two of its floors with an exhibition with furniture and objects that will take you back to the time when the castle fulfilled its defensive function.
You will find the information panels that castles of the province of Badajoz, several of which can be visited, and you can also watch videos that take you to the historical atmosphere of the castle, as well as testimonies from residents of the castle. fair town.
Finally you will access the terrace of the Torre del Homenaje, from where you have the best panoramic views of the region, and you will perfectly understand the defensive function that the fair castle.
Fair castle schedules
The Visiting hours of the Fair Castle They are in summer, from mid-June to mid-September, from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m., and in the afternoons, from 18 p.m. to 20 p.m.
In spring, the afternoon hours are from 17 to 19 p.m., and from mid-September to mid-March, from 16 to 18 p.m.
El price of admission is 4 euros, which includes the guided tours half an hour that will allow you know the history of the castle, although access to the fortification courtyard and walls is free.
How to get to the Fair Castle
El fair castle It is located in the province of Badajoz, 66 kilometers south of Merida and 155 kilometers north of Seville.
The castle's schedules are modified throughout the seasons of the year, if you are kind enough to post them it would help us not to confuse the visitor. You can find them on the official website, thank you