Castle of Grimaldo

This Muslim castle was erected in Grimaldo, Cáceres, in the middle of the Silver Way. A fortress that belonged to the Grimaldi dynasty, about whom many curious legends are told.

It was built in a strategic place from where travellers and livestock passing through on the Silver Way could be espied, and was also used to take stock of their owners' possessions. On one corner of the façade we can see the coat of arms of the Bermúdez de Trejo family, who owned the castle in the 14th century.

King Alfonso X and Sancho IV granted this fortress, which had been ceded to the Sánchez de Grimaldo family, the right to asylum, meaning anybody was free to seek refuge in it, whatever he may have done, and the law had no power within its walls.

One of the stories surrounding this place is about a landowner, Rodrigo Calderón, who had his servants beheaded for the way they mistreated beggars and passers-by. Afterwards he had their heads hung up from the castle's battlements for all to see.

Nowadays only some remains of the castle are left, and it is private property.