Benízar Castle

Benízar Castle, locally known as Castillo de Benízar, lies on a crag above the village of La Tercia, in the province of Murcia in Spain.

Benízar Castle was first built during Muslim rule, probably somewhere during the 11th or 12th century. In the mid-13th century the area came under the control of the Crown of Castile.

In 1347 the castle was rebuilt by Rui Chacón, Commander of Caravaca and Moratalla. The castle then consisted of an enclosure on the flat top of the main crag and a keep on the protruding 'tooth'. It depended on Moratalla.

In the 17th century Benízar Castle was ceded to the Hermitage of Santa Bárbara. After the death of its last noble owner; Prince Francisco de Paula of Spain, it was sold by auction in 1867 to a private individual.

At present Benízar Castle can not be visited, the rock on which it is situated is inaccessible. Too bad, I am curious to see what remains of the castle on top of the rock. I read that of the castle on the flat top nothing remains but a cistern. The visible walls on the 'tooth' are remains of the keep.

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