The Castle of Atienza (Spanish: Castillo de Atienza) is a castle located in Atienza, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1931. Standing high on a rck, it can be seen from miles around. The castle frequently changed hands between the Muslims (Arabs or Moors) and the European Christians until it was finally taken by Alfonso VI in 1085.
History
The castle is located on the site of earlier Roman and Visigoth fortifications. The Moors first took the castle until it surrendered briefly to Alfonso III of Asturis from 870 to 874 before it was retaken. In 967, it came under the control of Al-Hakam II before being taken once again by the Christians under García Fernández of Castile until the arrival of Almanzor at the end of the 10th century. In the 11th century, it became an important component of the Muslim defences along the River Duero. After being taken by the Christian troops of Alfonso VI in 1085, it was enlarged on several occasions, maintaining its importance.
Under John II, the Navarre troops occupied the castle with 250 horsemen, 500 foot soldiers and artillery. After the castle had lost its strategic importance it became a prison. It was sacked by the French during the War of Independence.
Description
Today the castle consists of a tower and an inner enclosure 130 m by 30 m. The arched entrance is flanked by two square towers. There are two covered cisterns in the enclosure. There is a fireplace on the upper floor of the main tower. Originally the castle had four storeys as well as tunnels which connected it with churches in the town. It was protected by two walls, one connecting the main tower to the entrance, the other protecting the rock itself.

The Castle of Atienza

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The Castle of Riba de Santiuste (Spanish: Castillo de Riba de Santiuste) is a castle located in Sigüenza, Spain. It was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1992. The castle was rebuilt twice: in 15th century for the first time and in 19th century after it had been partially destroyed. 

Castle of Riba de Santiuste

The Castle of the Bishops of Sigüenza (Castillo de los Obispos de Sigüenza) is located in Sigüenza in the Province of Guadalajara in central Spain. With foundations dating back to the 5th century, it was extended by the Moors and retaken for the Christians by Bernard of Agen in 1123.
History
The origins of the fortifications in Sigüenza go back to the Celtiberians who inhabited the right bank of the river in the final centuries B.C. The Visigoths built a small castle in the 5th century above the town. The Moors built a large fortified castle or alcazaba in the early 8th century to defend the area against the Christian kings of Leon and Castile. It was enclosed by a defensive wall providing an area known as the medina. In 1124, the castle was retaken by Bernard of Agen allowing Simón Girón de Cisneros to build an episcopal palace there. In 1298, the castle was taken by the troops of Alfonso de la Cerda during the battle against Ferdinand IV of Castile, the boy king, but was defended by the bishop's vassals.[2] In the 15th century, the castle was strengthened by the bishops to protect it from attacks from Aragon and Navarre.
In the late 18th century, Bishop Juan Díaz de la Guerra changed the appearance of the castle from a fortress into an episcopal palace with additional windows, balconies and stables. However, in 1808 during the War of Spanish Independence the castle was taken by the French who seriously damaged it and looted all its riches before it was recaptured by El Empecinado. The episcopal palace was further devastated by fire in the 1830s and had to be abandoned.
Parador
In 1972, the Ministry of Tourism gave the castle the status of a parador or luxury hotel. Restoration of the building began in 1964 and was completed in 1976 by the architect José Luis Picardo. The official inauguration took place in 1978 with the visit of King King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía. Decorated with banners and suits of armour, the huge lounge is the castle's original dining room.