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Culture
Ruins of the Castle of Casas de Lázaro
Among the gentle hills that dominate the landscape of Casas de Lázaro, stand the remains of the ancient Castle of Casas de Lázaro, visible from the Renacimiento Greenway Nature Trail. Although today only a few walls and fragments of masonry remain, its silhouette on the top of the hill is a reminder of the strategic importance of this enclave in the Middle Ages.
The castle was built between the 13th and 14th centuries, at the height of the consolidation of Christian rule over these lands after the Reconquest. Its function was twofold: to serve as a lookout point for the valleys and roads that crossed the south of Albacete and as a refuge for the dispersed population in the nearby villages. With the passing of time, the enclosure passed into the hands of different nobles linked to the Lordship of Alcaraz, and was gradually abandoned from the 17th century onwards, when it lost its military use.
The few remains left standing today allow us to imagine a walled enclosure with an irregular ground plan, with defensive towers and possibly a keep at the highest part of the hill. From its location, the area around the El Jardín River and the communication routes connecting the towns in the south of Albacete were visually controlled.
Today, the ruins of the castle can be seen from the Nature Trail, integrated into a peaceful agricultural landscape. Although direct access is not available, its presence adds a historical and evocative touch to the route, inviting us to imagine life in these lands when the towers watched over the horizon of La Mancha.
