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Castillo de Andrade (La Coru�a)
Located at the meeting point of Betanzos and El Ferrol. It dates back to 1369 and was built by Fernando P�rez el Bueno, the count of Andrade. Its base is polygonal in shape and adapted to the irregularities of the ground on which it is built.� Its most impressive aspect is the torre del Homenaje, a three-floor high tower. Also impressive is the interior courtyard, held up by various pillars, as well as its heraldic decoration.

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Castillo de Belmonte (Cuenca)
Built in the 15th century amidst what was then a beautiful forest, this gothic-style castle is one of the most impressive in Spain. It was the home of Prince Don Juan Manuel where he and his consorts hatched many a plot. As opposed to most Spanish castles it is very accessible and can be reached via easy ramps that climb up to the castle gates. It has a star-shaped base with six sides upon which rise six round towers. It has a double wall and triangular-shaped battlements. The courtyard is small and triangular with two oval galleried floors decorated with coffered ceilings, superb chimneys and elaborate windows in various states of conservation.

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Castillo de Manzanares El Real (Madrid)
Located on the banks of the river Manzanares, this is one of Spain's most representative castles. It dates back to the 14th century and the reign of Alfonso XI. It is square in shape, with circular cubes on its roof, the most impressive of which is the torre del Homenaje, hexagonal in shape and leading to a balcony of battlements. In 1914 it was restored by the architect Vicente Lamp�rez and declared a National Monument in 1931. Since 1975 it has housed several cultural activities.

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Castillo de Olite (Navarra)
Built in the 15th century by the French king Charles III the Noble. It is richly decorated with tiles and carved wooden ceilings and is one of the jewels of Navarran military architecture. A curious detail is the fact that it once housed an important zoo complete with exotic animals and it also has a strange refrigeration method: a well for the ice. Due to the many Navarran wars, the castle was destroyed and not rebuilt until the 20th century. It has now been perfectly restored and is used as a National Parador (hotel).

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Castillo de Ampudia (Palencia)
Located on the border of Castilla and Leon, this castle was constructed in the 11th century on the ruins of a luxurious alcazar. It was then abandoned after the French invasion and declared a National Monument in1931. In 1960 it was restored and converted into a museum with furniture and period decoration. It has been linked to several noble families. Juan N��ez stayed within its walls when he rebelled against Mar�a de Molina, wife of Sancho IV the Brave. In the 15th century the bishop of Palencia, don Sancho de Rojas took residence. Apart from the castle, it has the added bonus of the beautiful colegiata tower.

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Castillo de Coca (Segovia)
This gothic-mud�jar castle is a masterpiece of military architecture, built in pink brick and regarded as the prototype of the Castilian noble castle of the 15th century. Located 34 kilometres from Segovia, it is one of the most spectacular military fortresses in Spain. Its base is square and all the floors are exceptionally well conserved. The most impressive is the brick vault on the first floor and the brick battlements on the roof. It also conserves the snail-shaped entry stairs with steep brick steps. In the second half of the 1950s, it was handed over by the House of Alba to the Ministry of Agriculture. It has since been restored and converted into the Residence School of the Forest Guardians (Escuela Hogar de Capataces Forestales).

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Castillo de Carmona (Seville)
This castle is located atop a small hill to the east of the town of Carmona, near Seville. Its plant is rectangular in shape and its interior is composed of two rectangular spaces. Its history is ancient and some sources point to the Carthaginian, Roman and Arab periods as the start of its construction. It was one of the most important palatial building and in 1931 was declared a National Monument and converted into a National Parador.

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Castillo de Butr�n (Biscay)
Located 20 kilometres north of Bilbao, this is truly a fairytale castle. It is one of Biscay's most impressive fortresses with a history that dates back to the 11th century, when the original tower was built. In the 19th century it was transformed by the architect Marqu�s de Cubas, who invented battlements, cubes, windows and gave it the air of a Central European castle. It is surrounded by a vast park with botanical species that makes for a genuine paradise. It has now been completely restored and opened to the public. The entrance fee includes a visit to a foundry, a hydraulic mill, a bridge, a hermitage and several country houses.

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