Castillo de San Juan in Calasparra is an ancient medieval fortress positioned on a rocky height in the Serreta de Serreta de San José foothills, commanding the fertile surrounding valley watered by the Segura, Quípar, Argos, and Alhárabe rivers. Though its origins likely date to the 12th century, the castle's documented history begins in the late 13th century when Sancho IV donated it to the Military Order of San Juan de Jerusalén, which made it the symbol of the order's temporal power over lands, roads, and agricultural operations. Designated a Cultural Heritage Site in 1997, the fortress is currently undergoing rehabilitation and now hosts a striking open-air auditorium used for summer cultural events and concerts.
