The 115 kilometres of the Ribera del Duero strip of land are a lot: not only because of the importance of its wines, but also because of its history and culture. The third longest river in Spain leaves, from its source in the Picos de Urbión (Soria) to its mouth in Oporto, a cultural vestige worthy of mention… We take you on a route that will take you back in time to the Middle Ages, visiting three of the four riverside provinces (Soria, Burgos, Segovia and Valladolid) that the course of our majestic river crosses: Welcome to the Route of the Castles of the Ribera del Duero, a route within the Ribera del Duero Wine Route.

Would you prefer to listen to the PODCAST? At the end of the article you have the link.

Since Neolithic times, populations have been building fortifications in order to defend themselves, fortifications that evolved, both in terms of structure and materials, until the Middle Ages, the period of maximum splendour of castles, which not only served military purposes but also served as a residence for the nobility or the kings themselves. Their function led them to be located in strategic places such as high points and points close to a watercourse for their supply but, with the decline of feudalism at the end of the 16th century, they were gradually abandoned and replaced by palatial mansions in the court, becoming obsolete in their military function and losing all their interest until the current ruin of most of them.

Our Route of the Castles formed part of the border axis of the Duero between the Christian and Muslim kingdoms during the Reconquest. We will start our route in Soria and then, following the course of the river, we will visit the castle of Peñaranda de Duero (Burgos) until we reach the province of Valladolid, where we will visit the castles of Peñafiel and Curiel:

• Castle of San Esteban de Gormaz (Soria)
• Castle of Peñaranda de Duero (Burgos)
• Castle of Peñafiel (Valladolid)
• Castle of Curiel (Valladolid)

and also…

• Langa de Duero (Soria)
• Castillejo de Robledo (Soria)
• Haza (Burgos)

CASTLE of SAN ESTEBAN DE GORMAZ (Soria):

This Soria town, a symbol of Romanesque architecture in the Ribera del Duero, sleeps under the feet of the remains of a castle that was built in the 10th century and which, after continually changing hands and being controlled by the Christians in the 11th century, has not been recovered since the French invasion of 1808. Its strategic location on the top of a hill allowed control of the bridge that spanned (and spans) the Duero river. Despite its ruinous state, the castle of San Esteban de Gormaz is of significant importance, and part of its wall, other remains of walls and a cistern are still preserved.

The castle can be reached from the village by following a path that leaves from the church of San Miguel and goes directly to the castle grounds from the northwest.

The castle of San Esteban de Gormaz was declared a “site of cultural interest” in 1949 and access is free.

Further information: https://www.sanestebandegormaz.org/

Photo San Esteban de Gormaz Tourist Office

CASTLE of PEÑARANDA DE DUERO (Burgos):

This charming medieval riverside village, just 15 km from Aranda de Duero, rests at the foot of the most important and spectacular rock castle (along with that of Frías) in the province of Burgos. As we have been saying about this type of fortifications, its construction began for military reasons with the aim of stopping the Arab advance in the 11th century, but it was in the 15th century when the first Count of Miranda preserved it and gave it most of its current appearance.

It is a robust and sober fortress, one of the most striking elements of the castle being its “keep”, due to its size and its good state of preservation. Inside this tower there is an Interpretation Centre, which offers guided tours to learn more about its legend. Access to the rest of the castle is free, and its viewpoint affords spectacular views, even making out the Sistema Central. It has been the setting for films and has even been the venue for events such as civil weddings.

The castle of Peñaranda de Duero was declared a “monument” in 1931.

Its defiant appearance gives a glimpse of its glorious past and its ship-like appearance resembles, and it is no coincidence, another of the castles we will talk about next, can you guess?

More information: www.peñarandadeduero.es

PEÑAFIEL CASTLE (Valladolid):

The town of Peñafiel can be seen from afar thanks to the presence of its imposing and regal protagonist: the castle. Home to the Valladolid Provincial Wine Museum since 1999 and one of the greatest emblems of wine tourism on the Ribera del Duero Wine Route, you can delve into the wonderful world of wine through its history and culture by touring the interior of this building, which began to be built in the 9th century and was declared a“monument” in 1917.

The current appearance of Peñafiel Castle is the result of the various interventions that have taken place over the centuries, although its current appearance is due to Don Pedro Téllez, who built it in the 15th century.

Its unique architecture adapts to the configuration of the Peñafiel hill over 210 metres long and 33 metres wide, giving it the appearance of a gigantic ship (an effect that is accentuated on foggy days), being known as “The Ship of Castile” (do you remember its morphological similarity to the castle of Peñaranda? Well, the castle of Peñaranda de Duero is designed according to the design canons of the castle of Peñafiel…).

In the centre of the castle stands the Torre del Homenaje, a privileged viewpoint overlooking the banks of the Duero and Duratón rivers, the Botijas valley and, of course, the riverside vineyards and pine forests.

Access to the castle of Peñafiel is restricted to visiting hours, although it is possible to drive up to the entrance and enjoy fantastic views of the riverbanks.

Further information:

• Castillo de Peñafiel Diputación de Valladolid
• http://www.penafiel.es/

CASTLE of CURIEL (Valladolid):

Only four kilometres separate Curiel de Duero from Peñafiel, and, as legend has it, there was a giant who put one foot in the castle of Curiel and the other in the castle of Peñafiel to drink water from the Duero.

This small town in Valladolid, in the Cuco valley, had two castles in the Middle Ages. One of them, the one that survives today, is the castle-fortress located on top of a rocky outcrop, also called Doña Berenguela’s castle (first-born daughter of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Lady of Curiel).

Nowadays converted into a hotel-restaurant, the castle of Curiel is said to be the oldest castle in Valladolid and also the highest inhabited point in the province. It was owned by seven Castilian kings and among its anecdotes it is said that Diego de Castilla y Sandoval was imprisoned in the fortress for 54 years, one of the longest captivities in the history of Spain.

The views we can admire from the castle are, obviously, those of the village of Curiel (which describes a half-moon shape moulded to the shape of the hill) but we can also get a beautiful panoramic view of the Duero Valley, as well as the town of Peñafiel.

The castle of Curiel was declareda “site of cultural interest” in 1949 and was called“Castillo de Arriba“. The “Castillo de Abajo” corresponds to a castle-palace built by Don Diego López de Stúñiga in 1410 that served as a defensive fortress, of which only the exterior structure remains intact, as the interior is completely empty.

Access to the interior is permitted by the hotel-restaurant that houses it, although it can be reached by car right up to the entrance gate, which allows us to enjoy the marvellous views of the riverbanks.

More information: Castillo Curiel Diputación Valladolid

▶︎ Although there are many other castles in the Ribera del Duero, their condition is rather dilapidated. However, we would like to mention them….

LANGA DE DUERO (Soria):

Built in the 14th or 15th centuries, legend has it that the Duke of Medina-Sidonia (half-brother of Queen Leonor of Castile) was imprisoned in its tower, managing to escape thanks to a rope provided by the villagers themselves. It is known by the locals as “El Cubo” and the Catholic Monarchs themselves stayed in this castle in 1506. The only part of the castle that remains intact is its tower, which has been restored and opened to the public.

Access to its interior is restricted to visiting hours and it was declared a “monument” in 1949.

CASTILLEJO DE ROBLEDO (Soria):

Its castle was built by the Order of the Temple in the 12th century over an earlier Muslim fortification. It was declared a “monument” in 1949 and is in a state of near ruin. Access is free.

HAZA (Burgos):

The municipality of Haza is one of the “balconies” of the Ribera del Duero par excellence, with extraordinary views of the fertile lowlands of the river Riaza. Of its 10th century castle, only its keep and an enormous well remain, although efforts are being made to restore them.

It was declared a “site of cultural interest” in 1949 and access is free.

▶︎ In short, these constructions have been vital elements in the consolidation of the Castilian territory, in the defence of its populations and in the ostentation of power and wealth, leaving historical and architectural jewels such as those we have described. Enjoy the Route of the Castles of the Ribera del Duero Wine Route!

You can complete your trip along the Wine Route by visiting a winery in the Ribera del Duero, eating in one of our restaurants or staying overnight in one of our accommodations.

To listen to the PODCAST: https://linktr.ee/riberate