Castillo de Baena

As was the custom in Muslim towns, the castle was not located inside the town, but on one of its sides, possibly having its origins in the second half of the 8th century.

During the late Middle Ages (13th-15th centuries) it was a feared border bastion with the kingdom of Granada, the distancing from the Nasrid frontier meant the loss of its character as a military fortress, becoming the palatial residence of the lords of Baena and counts of Cabra.

From the 17th century onwards the lords ceased to live in Baena and the palace became the residence of the administrators of the Dukes of Sessa and Baena. The lack of use of the palace meant that it became so dilapidated that in 1897 it was auctioned off as a quarry for demolition materials and in the middle of the 20th century the Town Hall built the drinking water supply tanks inside it.

Work began on its restoration in 2005, harmonising the historical structures with the possibilities of cultural and tourist use of the monument, working on the entire building.

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)