Castillo de Chinchón

The Castillo de Chinchón, known as the Castle of the Counts, stands on a hill above the town of Chinchón, in the southeast of the Community of Madrid. The town's most famous sight is the Plaza Mayor, a roughly circular square surrounded by balconied houses, and the castle looks down on it from the heights. It is a late medieval fortress, dating from the end of the fifteenth century, built for the lords of the area at a time when strong families of the court received lands and titles. Chinchón became a county, and the Counts of Chinchón held it for centuries.

The castle is built of stone and brick in a compact plan. It has two square bodies, one attached to the other, with round towers rising at the corners, which give it a clear outline and made it useful as a lookout over the surrounding plain. The walls are thick and plain. Several features show that it was designed as a residence as well as a stronghold, though the state of the building today limits what can be seen. Over the centuries the building suffered damage, including a fire in the early eighteenth century, during the War of the Spanish Succession, and many parts were lost or altered.

Visitors view the castle mostly from the outside. The path up from the town offers views of the walls and the towers and gives a wide look across the countryside of olive trees, vineyards and fields. The setting is more rewarding than the interior, and the hill is a pleasant place at sunset, when the stone takes on warm colours. The castle is occasionally used for private events, so access depends on the schedule, and it is wise to ask at the tourist office in the Plaza Mayor before climbing up.

The whole town of Chinchón was declared a historic-artistic ensemble in 1974. The streets around the castle and the square contain much of interest. The Iglesia de la Asunción, on the plaza, has an altarpiece painting linked to Francisco de Goya. Chinchón is famous for its aniseed liqueur and for its garlic soup, roasted lamb and bakery, and the area has long been known for these products. The Casa de la Cultura and the trails of the Sierra de Chinchón round out the offer.

It suits day trippers from Madrid, photographers and those who like quiet medieval towns. Combine the castle with a stroll in the plaza and lunch in a tavern.