Castle of Pedraza in Segovia province is one of Europe's oldest fortified sites, with Roman military remains predating the castle that stands today. Built in the 13th century and extensively rebuilt in the 15th century by García Herrera and again in the early 16th century by the Dukes of Frías, Pedraza Castle hosted French princes as political hostages in the 16th century. The fortress features a polygonal ground plan with double enclosures, square turrets, and an artificial moat carved from rock. Spanish painter Ignacio Zuloaga acquired and restored the deteriorated castle in 1925, focusing on the Torre del Homenaje keep and transforming it into a residence. Following his death, his descendants established a museum within the fortress to display Zuloaga's works and those of other artists, creating a living bridge between medieval military architecture and 20th-century artistic heritage.
