The Castle of Charles V dates back to the X century, when a fortress was commissioned by King Sancho Abarca of Navarra; later being extended by Sancho the Wise, who probably had a son called Sancho too but I can’t be bothered to do the research.
The Catholic Monarchs commissioned the existing building and Charles V ordered its extension, hence the name.
In 1794 it was badly damaged by French troops and by the beginning of the XX century was no more than a ruin. In 1966 the castle was purchased by the Town Hall to prevent it falling into private hands and in 1968 the existing Parador hotel was built on the site, making use of most of the building’s structure.The castle dominates the town, a place with a varied plethora of references both in history and myth.
Milton’s Paradise Lost refers to it as being part of the story of Charlemagne’s scapegoat Roldan.
In 1611 the town was shaken by a witchcraft trial when a group of children accused four women of practices such as teaching them to fly on broomsticks. The charges were finally dropped.
Another legend is that of a local version of mermaids, known as ‘lamias.’
