The oldest preserved historical document on the subject tells us of the existence of a castle as early as 741, a construction of Andalusian origin, whose lord was the emir of Al Andalus Abd el Malik Ben Qatan, in the first years of the Muslim conquest. In 1240 it was conquered for Christianity by the troops of Ferdinand III the Saint. The current image is the result of different construction periods in the 10th, 12th, 13th and especially the 14th centuries, when its most important Gothic-Mudejar style towers were built. Between 1901 and 1936 it underwent its last major renovation, thanks to its owner Rafael Desmaissieres y Farina, 12th Count of Torralva, who rescued it from ruin. The famous architect Adolfo Fernández Casanova, who was in charge of the restoration work, was rightly appointed.

Almodóvar Castle has witnessed numerous historical events since the Muslim conquest, playing a key role in the defence of Cordoba and in the control of the territory and the land and river communication routes. It was particularly important during the time of Peter I the Cruel in the 14th century, as it served as the monarch’s temporary residence and popular legend has it that he kept his treasures there. It served as a base of operations for the reconquest of the Kingdom of Granada in the 14th and 15th centuries. In later centuries it gradually fell into disuse as it lost its defensive function until its major reconstruction was undertaken at the beginning of the 20th century. Nowadays it is one of the best preserved castles in Spain and has the category of Asset of Cultural Interest, and its visit is an experience in itself. Its towers and outbuildings are dedicated to different themes, and among other services it offers dramatised visits, events, medieval days and lunches, school visits and medieval combat training. It has a long history of film and commercial recordings, most notably “The Dardanelles”, starring Ava Gardner and Omar Sharif, and more recently the now legendary series “Game of Thrones”.