CASTLES CASPE

Castillo del Compromiso in Caspe, Zaragoza province, stands as a medieval fortress with extraordinary historical significance. Built in the 14th century on the remains of an ancient Muslim fortification, the castle became the site of the historic Compromise of Caspe in 1412, when nine representatives met for three months to choose a new King of Aragón after King Martín I's death. This unprecedented democratic process resulted in the election of Fernando de Trastámara, grandfather of Ferdinand the Catholic. Originally a residence for commanders of the Order of San Juan, the castle featured an adjacent convent and collegiate church. Though deteriorated during subsequent centuries, the Throne Room underwent restoration completed in 2012, with the castle now municipally owned and accessible free of charge.

Torre de Salamanca dominates Monteagudo hill near Caspe in Zaragoza, an elevated position offering panoramic views of the Ebro valley. Constructed in 1875 during the Carlist Wars to complement the region's defensive network and optical telegraph communication system, this neo-medieval tower was built by General Manuel de Salamanca using stone sourced partly from the nearby Castle of la Bailía. The tower's careful ashlar construction and distinctive architectural style have occasionally led visitors to confuse it with medieval fortifications, though its late-19th-century origins reflect Spain's modern military innovations. Designated as Cultural Heritage of Interest in 2006, it remains a testament to strategic defense during Spain's internal conflicts.