Torrelobatón
Construction of the castle began at the beginning of the XV century, probably in 1406, on the orders of Alfonso Enriquez, a powerful local nobleman.
It was a focal point of the Communards rebellion against King Carlos I, who has confounded historians and students alike by being simultaneously King Carlos V, the Holy Roman Emperor.
Today the castle holds a permanent exhibition, which explains the Communard rebellion. There is also a special exhibition, displayed in an old wheat silo inside the castle, kindly shown to us by Lourdes Ortega, which is dedicated to the filming of El Cid, with posters in various languages and a series of original photos taken sneakily by one of the extras, Martin San Miguel, showing behind the scenes scenes, such as Charlton Heston lounging on the river bank, from where the shots of the castle in the film were taken next to the Roman bridge where the swimming pool is now located.
The local people from time to time dress up to re-enact the scene from the film that made their castle famous.
Thanks to pranks by the extras, the original plan to film for two days was extended to three, which meant a welcome, additional 100 pesetas.
So poor were some of the local townsfolk that they even collected the sponges, supposedly rocks, thrown at the Moorish prisoners.
