An archaeological site of an Islamic fortified settlement (hisn) from the 9th to 11th centuries, the Old Castle stands high above a bend in the Guadiana River.
Built between the 9th and 10th centuries during the Emirate and Caliphate of Córdoba, the so-called Old Castle is not a feudal castle but a hisn — an Islamic fortified settlement that served as a community refuge, river navigation control post, and mining hub.
Abandoned in the 11th century, the site preserved its original layout intact. It was from these ruins that archaeologists excavated the rare collection of medieval Islamic gaming boards, now showcased in the town castle's archaeological museum.
Perched atop Santa Bárbara Hill overlooking a dramatic bend in the Guadiana River, the excavated ruins are fenced off for preservation, but can be viewed from the outside along the trail.
