Castle of O Carbedo

The Castle of O Carbedo is a medieval fortress located in Folgoso do Courel in Lugo's Serra do Courel mountains, perched at 930 meters altitude. First documented in 1181, the castle belonged to nobleman Nuno Peláez before passing to the Knights of the Order of Santiago, who recognized its strategic value defending the passage between Lugo and El Bierzo. Though exact construction dates remain uncertain, the fortress was substantially renovated during its final restorations in 1558 before being subsequently abandoned. The ruins preserve fragmentary stone walls, a distinctive circular tower, and interior divisions, providing archaeological evidence of medieval military architecture. Designated as a Good of Cultural Interest, the castle represents an important historical legacy in this mountainous Galician region.