Castillo de Manzanares El Real

Castillo de Manzanares El Real is a magnificent castle situated in Manzanares el Real, a small town in the Madrid region of Spain. Built during the reign of Alfonso VI of Castile in 1085, the castle has 11 towers and was used as a military fortress throughout the Middle Ages. It was expanded and renovated over the years by Italian and Spanish architects, and is a major tourist attraction today. Its main entrance is overlooked by a guard tower built in the 16th century and a moat surrounds the castle walls. Inside, there are several smaller fortresses, the ruins of an old Romanesque church, and a terrace where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding countryside and the distant Sierra de Guadarrama. An information center is located inside the castle, and guided tours are available in multiple languages.