CASTLES CAZORLA

Castillo de la Yedra, also known as the Castle of the Four Corners, stands on Cerro de Salvatierra, the hill upon which Cazorla is built in Jaén province. This defensive enclave was constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries atop a Muslim fortification dating from the 11th or 12th century. The castle comprises three distinct terraced enclosures: an albacara (fortified shelter), a middle enclosure, and an alcazarejo (inner fortress). The alcazarejo, the tallest and most recent structure, is dominated by a large keep that now houses a museum dedicated to the folk art and customs of the Upper Guadalquivir region. The castle remains open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 13:15 and 16:00 to 19:15, with Sunday hours from 10:00 to 13:15, offering free entrance for EU citizens.

Castillo de las Cinco Esquinas, also known as Castillo de Salvatierra, is a fortress built in the second half of the 14th century on Cerro Salvatierra at 1,176 meters elevation on the western slope of Sierra de Cazorla. The rectangular structure measures approximately 62 meters long and 20 meters wide, featuring a pentagonal tower with two floors. Constructed by Archbishop Pedro Tenorio to reinforce defensive capabilities and prevent Nasrid Granada's offensive actions, the castle was built over remains of an older Arab fortress. While the eastern wall remains in acceptable condition, southern, northern, and western walls show considerable damage. The castle is freely accessible to visitors via a forest road departing from La Iruela.