Santa Bárbara Castle

Santa Bárbara Castle, locally known as Castillo de Santa Bárbara or Castillo de Overa, lies on a hill next to the village of the same name, in the province of Almería in Spain.

The Arab castle of Santa Bárbara was built in the 13th century, when the area was a frontier between the Nasrid Emirate of Granada and the advancing Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragón. The castle was, just like Huércal-Overa Castle, part of a string of fortifications to protect this frontier.

It was built on a hill next to the Almanzora river and an Arab village grew within its protective walls.

In 1436 Santa Bárbara Castle was taken by Christian forces from Lorca, but it was taken back by the Muslims in 1446. In 1488 the whole area of the Almanzora valley surrendered to Ferdinand II of Aragon.

At present Santa Bárbara Castle can freely be visited. It takes a short hike over rocky terrain. Besides the tower there are no large remains to be seen, but the foundations of buildings around the tower still make it interesting to visit.

Gallery