Belmonte - Castillo

The mid-15th century castle of Belmonte, now declared a national monument, looms over the town on a gently rising hill in the barren plain of La Mancha. This star-shaped stronghold has six round towers and a double circuit of battlemented walls. There are three gates, the most remarkable of which is the Pilgrim Gate, with a carved cross and scallop-shell, emblem of the pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James at Santiago de Compostela. The triangular courtyard is surrounded by a double gallery with fine relief decoration. The rooms in the interior of the castle are mostly empty, but have fine coffered ceilings, foreplaces and windows. From the wall-walk there are extensive views over the countryside of La Mancha.