Guzman el Bueno Castle

Caliphate Fortress in the X century and Old Church of Saint Mary. Roman remains, Mudejar Art, XIII and XIV centuries Gothic Art (access by way of Pedro Alfonso Square)

National Historic Monument. A great work of defensive engineering built in the highest part of the old quarter as mandated by Abderraman III, Caliph of Córdoba, to which newer defensive and further use elements were added such as when it served as a palatial residence during the XVI century.

The title given of ‘Guzmán el Bueno’ (Guzmán the Good Doer) results from the character trait attributed to Don Alonso Pérez de Guzmán, who was warden to this fortress during the siege when the Benimerines and Nasrid tribes, as well as the Infante Don Juan de Castilla, displayed in Tarifa in 1294. He defended the town so that it would continue under Christian rule and he would not surrender even under the threat of his child’s murder, to which he responded by throwing his own knife. This gesture won him the title of ‘the Good Doer’ on top of other great privileges bestowed upon him. After 1055 years, restoration works are still underway so as to bring back the luster of this ancient Guardian of the Strait. A visit will make us connect to the Route of the Almoravids and Almohads tribes.

There is a Castle Guide Centre where several rooms exhibit technological displays where information about the castle’s history may be learned.

Every day 10:00-14:30 (last visit at 14:00 última visita) and 16:00-18:00 (17:30 last visit). Group visits can be scheduled with the Cultural Town Delegation: +34 956 684 689

Entry fee: Adults 4,00 €, Children 1,50 €, Student Card Holders 3,75 €, Retired Card Holders 2,50 €, Adult Groups 50,00 € (25-30 pax) and Student Groups 25,00 €