History Castle of La Mota

old photo of keep.



side view.



old image of castle of la mota.



panoramic view of castle of la mota

initial fortification of village, repopulated after moorish depredations, led creation of fortress on site, starting in 1080. village grew alongside. in 1354, henry of trastamara known have taken fortress force. in 1390 king john of castile granted town son, infante ferdinand of antequera, future king of aragon. after latter s death in 1416, son, john ii of aragon, in 1433 taxed local residents construction @ mota. during following century, castle , town changed hands between rival kings of castile , aragon, castle , town being held opposing sides. in 1439, example, prince of aragon locked town gates, thereby imprisoning castilian king within castle walls. in 1441, castilian king able obtain surrender of 250 soldiers of aragon within castle.

after first battle of olmedo in 1445, castle came once , hands of castilian monarchy. in 1460, king henry iv of castile built central tower. in 1464, henry gave castle archbishop of toledo, alonso carrillo, betrayed king, , backed rival claimant afonso v of portugal. after taking castle force, fell 1467 hands of supporters of king afonso, while village supported henry.

subsequently, castle disputed between princess claimant, isabella of castile , cousin of dubious paternity, princess juana la beltraneja.

after succession of owners, in 1475, crown of castile reclaimed castle, , built artillery bastion, upon entrance heraldic symbols of catholic monarchs, ferdinand , isabella.

shields on main gate, 1483.

the castle became prominent prison, , variously housed hernando pizarro, rodrigo calderón, duke fernando de calabria, , cesare borgia, among others. of these men, last known having escaped 40 meter high tower climbing down rope.