This castle once had humble beginnings. Originally built near the medieval road to Alcalá de Henares, Alameda Castle was a small structure with a moat and an artillery barrier. The castle had a rectangular floor plan with rounded corners and two towers—one square and one cylindrical—as well as a central courtyard with a water fountain. The construction of irregular limestone masonry was completed in 1476.
In 1575, the castle got a serious makeover into a Renaissance-style leisure villa. Large windows, gardens, fountains, a lake, and tree-lined paths were all part of the renovations. This new luxurious structure became a popular summer villa for Madrid’s aristocracy.
After a devastating fire in 1697, the castle was abandoned. The stones were repurposed for nearby buildings. By the 19th century, the castle was nothing more than a ruin.
In 1936, the site was used as a Republican fort in the Civil War. The remains of what was a machine-gun nest remains alongside it the ruins today.
Recent renovation work has improved accessibility, lighting, and the presentation of the castle’s remains and history.
