Orders were given to begin construction of the castle in the XV century, with building works lasting 18 years directed by architect Hanequín of Brussels and continued by Juan Guás.
In 1488 the castle received some illustrious guests, the Catholic Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, who stayed there on August 12th.
The castle of Belmonte has had its violent moments, even when film makers were not shedding blood all around it.
The XIV Duque de Peñaranda, Conde de Montijo, Hernando Alfonso Fitz-James Stuart y Falcó, who was the castle’s owner at the time, was on the wrong side of the lines when the Spanish Civil War broke out in 1936, and was executed at Paracuellos del Jarama on the 8th of November in the same year.
The name Fitz Stuart dates back to the War of Spanish Succession in the early 18th century, when the leader of the Bourbon troops, supporting Felipe of Anjou’s claim to the throne was James Fitz – James Stuart, Duke of Berwick,
The Republican militias used the castle as a prison and barracks while they controlled the area.
Before them, Napoleon’s army had also used the castle for similar purposes.
One of Spain’s guerillas, known locally as ‘Uncle Camuñas’, was shot against the castle walls.
The International Medieval Combat Federation and Belmonte Castle host International Championships in Spain, promoting reenactments of medieval battles and combats as a way of attracting more tourists.
