Castle of Peñarroya is a 12th-century medieval fortress built by Muslim forces and strategically positioned atop a cliff overlooking the Guadiana River near Argamasilla de Alba in La Mancha. The castle features a distinctive double-walled enclosure with a dry moat, central courtyard, and square keep with three floors, representing robust medieval military architecture. After Christian conquest in 1198, it became a seat of power for the Knights Hospitallers, and the 17th-century Hermitage-Sanctuary of the Virgin of Peñarroya within its walls features ornate Churrigueresque altarpieces and sculptures. Declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest in 1990, the fortress sits at the entrance to the Lagunas de Ruidera Natural Park and remains open to the public year-round.
