Castle of Onda (Spain)

Onda Castle is a fortification located in the Spanish town of Onda (Castellón). It was declared in 1967 a Historic-Artistic Site and Asset of cultural interest. The original structure was erected by the Muslims in the 10th century on an ancient Roman settlement. The primitive structure appears buried under different reconstructions carried out over the centuries. It became known for its large size as the "castle of 300 towers", as it was said that it had as many towers as there are days in the year. For a few years it has been in the process of restoration. It currently houses a museum, which highlights the exhibition of Muslim plasterwork from a palatial house from the early 13th century.


The mound of the castle of Onda, given its unbeatable strategic location between the plain of La Plana and the Sierra de Espadán, has been a place of settlement since prehistoric times. On the vestiges of ancient cultures (Iberian and Culture of Ancient Rome | Roman), the Muslims built a primitive fortress in the Caliphate era (10th century). This first nucleus grew over the centuries until it became an impressive city-fortress known as the “castle of three hundred towers”.

In 1238, Zayan, the last Moorish king of Valencia, surrendered this to King Jaime I the Conqueror. From this moment Onda and its castle passed into Christian hands. One year after the granting of the Puebla Charter in 1249, the king transferred the rents of the castle and the town of Onda to the Order of the Temple.

In 1319 the town of Onda passed into the hands of the Order of Montesa. At this time the fortress must still have been impressive and his vision gave rise to refer to it, metaphorically, as it had as many towers as there are days in the year, hence the name "Castle of the 300 towers".

During the War with Castile (1357-65) the Castle was a stronghold, given its strategic importance. It was also used during the War of the Germanías (1519-24) and, shortly after, it was the headquarters of the Duke of Segorbe in the Mudejar repression of the Sierra de Espadán (1526). The Castle was also occupied by Napoleonic troops, in 1812, and later, in 1839, during the Carlist Wars, the fortress is rehabilitated.

Finally, during the Civil War of 36, the castle also witnessed various military actions.