It is at this castle that a Moorish force turns up to drag off 100 maidens, fulfilling their part of a signed treaty; a treaty broken by Fernán, who manages to swap the maidens for his soldiers, proving that the Moors were just getting what they deserved as they were slaughtered. The castle is all that’s left of a series of fortifications that Fernán González built along the River Arlanza. The oldest parts date back to 942, and another legend suggests that there is a secret passage to a neighbouring house, no doubt for the carrying out of sinful pursuits. As is often the case, it was built upon the foundations of a Roman edifice. A great conflagration devastated the building in the 17thcentury (which means we can’t blame Napoleon this time) and in the 18thcentury it became a private property, rebuilt by the new owners. A further reform was carried out in 1971, and today the fort is a haven of peace and tranquility with lawns and fountains, and of course a remarkable collection of siege weapons. The owner, Millán Bermejo, gives guided tours in which he explains the workings of each weapon with a passion that enthralls visitors of all ages.
