Aedes Ars - Castillo de Fuensaldaña

The monument and its history A castle situated on the Spanish plains, near Valladolid, it was built by the Vivero family in the 15th century. Of a typical noble appearance, it possesses an imposing Keep, 34 metres high, which led to, via a drawbridge, a rectangular-shaped tower, divided into three floors and a square ground plan basement reached by a spiral staircase; this is extended to the crenelated terrace with four bartizans that go down to the ground in the form of four slender towers. Each floor has a large vaulted hall with grilled windows. The tower houses the coats of arms of Alfonso Pérez de Vivero and of his second wife María Manrique de Benvides. It also has a simple square precinct with circular defence towers in the corners and central bailey. The castle was restored by the Valladolid County Council and transferred to the Castilla y León Regional Government and is currently the headquarters for the Castilla y León Regional Parliament.