Castle of the Triste Condesa, in Arenas de San Pedro

The castle of Arenas de San Pedro was begun by the Constable of Castile Ruy López Dávalos, lord of the town since Henry III granted him its lordship in 1393. It is called the castle of the Triste Condesa (Sad Countess) after Juana de Pimentel, widow of Álvaro de Luna, to whom John II left the town after her husband's execution in 1453: the townspeople began calling her that, and the name passed to the castle. It is a square granite fortress next to the bridge over the Arenal, at Plaza del Condestable Dávalos, 5.

What you see

It is a Gothic castle, built between the late 14th and early 15th centuries, which served both as a fortress and a watchtower over the valley. Outside it keeps its granite walls; inside little of the original remains, because fires in several wars destroyed the interior. It later had very different uses: it was a prison and even a cemetery. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931 and today is the municipal auditorium.

The guided tour tells the story of the constable, that of Doña Juana and the later uses of the building, and climbs to the top, from where you see the rooftops of Arenas and the Sierra de Gredos to the north. Allow about 45 minutes.

Opening hours and tickets

It is visited with a guide during the tourist office's hours, Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 15:00; it is closed on Mondays. General admission €3, reduced €2, free up to 5 years old. As there are events in the auditorium, it is worth confirming the hours first on 920 370 245 or 663 440 799, or at [email protected].

Getting there and what to combine

It is in the centre of Arenas de San Pedro, on the southern slope of Gredos. The castle is next to the Arenal bridge and a hundred metres from the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, which can be seen on the same stroll.

A few kilometres away, in Ramacastañas, are the Cuevas del Águila, a visit that works well with children on the same day. If you are heading north, the Puerto del Pico road starts from Cuevas del Valle, in the same Tiétar valley.