The fortress was built using the ashlar masonry technique, characteristic of the Caliphate of Cordoba period.
The Virgin of Victory, housed in the castle chapel, was allegedly carried by King Ferdinand III during his campaigns.
The castle stands at the highest point of the town, specifically on the 'Cerro del Cabezo de Zorro'.
The eight towers are not uniform in size, reflecting multiple construction phases between the 9th and 14th centuries.
The castle foundations contain re-used stones from earlier Roman and Visigothic structures located in the vicinity.
The interior cistern is carved directly into the bedrock to collect rainwater.
The Alcazaba of Trujillo is a 9th-century Moorish fortress built on a granite hill to command the surrounding Extremaduran plains. The structure features a double-walled defensive system reinforced by eight square crenelated towers. Constructed primarily using local granite masonry, the castle sits atop an earlier Roman foundation. Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, the fortress underwent significant additions, including the integration of a Christian shrine dedicated to the Virgin of Victory, the patron saint of Trujillo. The site served as a vital strategic stronghold during the Reconquista, switching hands between Moorish and Christian forces multiple times. Visitors can traverse the perimeter wall, which offers unobstructed views of the medieval town and the countryside. A well-preserved cistern remains within the inner courtyard, illustrating period hydraulic engineering. The fortress maintains its original defensive layout, including the barbican and the main gate with its horseshoe arch.
The highest point of the ramparts looking south toward the Plaza Mayor and the surrounding plains.
Wear shoes with high-traction soles as the granite surfaces and ramparts can be uneven and slippery.
Bring a hat and sunscreen, as the hilltop location is fully exposed to direct sunlight with little natural shade.
Walk the full length of the wall top to access perspectives of the town’s bell towers not visible from the streets.
Attempting to visit during mid-day in summer, as the granite stone absorbs heat and offers no shelter.
Do not sit or climb on the ancient stone merlons of the battlements.
