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Updated: 12-nov-2010
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I visited this castle in 2001. Almonacid de Toledo Castle lies about 20 km southeast from the city of Toledo in the province of Toledo in Spain.
According to legend it's name is derived from a Spanish word meaning "The battlements of El Cid". El Cid is a very famous Spanish knight who played a great role during the Reconquest. More probably the name is derived from a Latin word; "almonaster", meaning monastery as the castle was called "ribat" (Moorish for monastery) by the Moors. Also the castle was inhabited by Moorish knight monks.
This really is a great castle to explore on your own as it is freely accessible and seems rarely to be visited.
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This castle was most probably built by the Moors. It's first mention is in 848
and in 854 it is the scene of a great battle between the troops of the Emir of
Cordoba and rebels from Toledo.
It came into the possession of King Alfonso IV as part of the dowry of his wife;
princess Zaida. In 1086 he donated the castle to the archbishopric of Toledo. In
the 14th century the castle was strengthened by the archbishop Don Pedro Tenorio.
Later the pretender to the Portuguese throne; Count Alfonso of Gijon, was imprisoned
in the castle on the orders of King Juan I of Castile.
On the 11th of August, 1809, the castle served as a refuge for the Spanish troops
under general Venegas during a battle against French troops. This battle ended in
French victory with the cost of 4000 men on the Spanish side and around 2000 men
on the French side. It is in memory of this victory that the name Almonacid appears
on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
The castle lies on a hill dominating the village, with the same name, below. The
castle can be seen from kilometers away. You can also easily see