Trujillo Castle and Its Cisterns

What it is

The fortress occupies the highest point of Trujillo, the Cabeza de Zorro hill. It was built between the 9th and 12th centuries on a Muslim alcazaba, of which two cisterns survive. It is all of granite ashlar, with seventeen square towers and a horseshoe-arch gate flanked by two towers. Inside you can make out the parade ground (patio de armas) and the albacar (outer enclosure).

Opening hours and admission

It is open every day. From October to April, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00; in spring and summer, from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:00. Admission costs €2, and €1.50 per person for groups of ten or more. The two official timetables overlap in April: confirm the afternoon hours at the tourist office.

Getting there

From the Plaza Mayor you walk up through the medieval town, between Santa María la Mayor and the fortified houses: about ten minutes, uphill and over cobbles. At the top, walk the wall-walk: you see the plain of Trujillo as far as the sierra, and late in the day it is the best place for sunset.

Casterly Rock, above the hill

In the last episode of season seven of Game of Thrones, the castle plays Casterly Rock, the Lannisters' fortress: from its battlements, Jaime Lannister and Bronn watch the rival army. This is according to Turismo de Extremadura. There is no set or exhibition inside: it is the same wall-walk you walk with the €2 ticket, and the framing of the scene is that of the wall looking onto the plain.

The series returned to Trujillo for House of the Dragon; from that shoot, Turismo de Extremadura cites the Plaza Mayor and La Alberca. If you do both on the same day, go up to the castle in the last light and leave the square for afterwards.