Castle in the Sky

Before leaving Navarrete and La Rioja area, we took a drive out to a castle in the sky, literally! The remains of the castle are believed to date before the 11th Century due to it’s Moorish design but no actual records of it’s ownership can be found to confirm this. The only reference to it is in 960 when Count Fernan Gonzalez was taken prisoner by the King of Navarre and it is recorded that he was imprisoned in a castle in Pamplona then in a castle in Navijo. The remains of the castle stand atop a huge rock, with outstanding views over the plains below, the construction was apparently of a timbered wall system enclosing earth, stone and plaster; its perimter walls (1.5m thick) supported cylindrical towers topped with battlements and a walkway. The remains have not been altered or maintained which was lovely to see but our British Health & Safety Officers would have an absolute fit if they saw us on this structure!!!