Puntos de Interés
Culture
Lara Castle
Lara Castle is a castro dating from the 10th century -although it was reformed in the 14th century- and is located on the Peñalara mountain range in the municipality of Lara de los Infantes. Its location on this hill is no coincidence, as in the past it was a key construction for the reconquest of the Peninsula by Christian troops. Its walls, although today only ruins, are steeped in history. The well-known medieval count Fernán González - whose father ordered the construction of this castle at the foot of Peñalara - was born and raised here, before going on fundamental role during the reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
It is a construction that was once protected by a double wall and featured a spiral staircase column, proof of the historical importance of the Tierra de Lara, a region populated since time immemorial and where it is possible to find archaeological sites from prehistoric times to the Roman Empire and the Middle Ages. In fact, in the case of the Castle of Lara, traces of Roman settlements have been found in the surrounding area. It was during this period that the village of Lara, today Lara de los Infantes, was founded. Despite the ruins of the castle, it is still possible to see the remains of a fence that surrounded the complex and that was built directly into the rock, as well as the remains of what was once the moat.
In the past, the Castle of Lara boasted six defensive towers plus the keep - to which it is believed that the stone spire that still remains in the middle belongs - and there was also a viaduct that connected the walled enclosure with the tower gate. Today only the ruins of this medieval fortress remain, but it is nevertheless worth a visit to recreate the way of life of the ancient inhabitants of these historic lands and at the same time enjoy the panoramic views of the comarca of Tierra de Lara.
Precisely to vindicate the relevance of this fortress, for more than ten years the Tierra de Lara Association, in collaboration with neighbours from all over the region, has been organising a celebration at the beginning of June. The event, which attracts more and more people every year, sees participants climb up to the peak of Peñalara, where the remains of the castle are located, bedecked in red banners, with the exception of the inhabitants of the municipality of Lara de los Infantes, whose banner is white and gold. After the climb to the castle, which despite its dilapidated state has now been brought back to life thanks to this initiative, a manifesto is read about the importance of protecting this historic environment and the anthem of Tierra de Lara is sung. Once the events around the castle have concluded, the focus of attention turns to the centre of the village of Lara de los Infantes, where a popular celebration is held to pay homage to this fortress.