Castillo de Villamonte commands a dramatic position atop a cliff at 980 meters elevation near Peñacerrada in Álava, overlooking the historical routes connecting the Ebro valley to the highlands. This medieval military fortress occupies a rocky peak with access via the Ribas mountain pass. Documentary evidence from the 17th century confirms the castle's standing at that time, along with references to the nearby settlement of Uribarri. Protected under Spanish heritage law through both a 1949 decree and the 1985 Spanish Historical Heritage Law, Villamonte survives today in ruins and vestiges, offering hikers commanding views across the surrounding mountainous terrain and a tangible reminder of medieval highland defense systems.
