Castillo de Puebla de Almenara crowns the Jarameña mountain range near Puebla de Almenara in Cuenca, a 14th-15th century reconstruction atop an earlier Andalusian fortress captured by the Order of Santiago in 1177. The name derives from Arabic meaning "lighthouse" or "place of light," reflecting its original function as a signaling station for other fortifications; it later served as an outpost for the infante Don Juan Manuel and subsequently belonged to the prominent Mendoza family, including Cardinal Mendoza. The well-preserved fortified enclosure encompasses a keep, central courtyard with cistern, cellars, stables, and living quarters protected by flat wall sections and circular bastions with crenellated crowns; currently listed on Hispania Nostra's Red List, the castle faces gradual deterioration despite its significant historical and architectural value.
