This Unknown Town in Zaragoza Hides a 10th Century Castle on the Edge of a Cliff: It's Unique in the World

Many of us have the impression that the farther we travel, the better, and there are people who have been to dozens of countries thousands of miles away from Spain, but who have not ventured beyond their autonomous community. For this reason, today we talk about a town that is just 20 minutes by car from Zaragoza, which houses an impressive castle that you can explore at your leisure on a weekend without plans.

Cadrete is a town located just 12 kilometers south of the Aragonese capital, and it is an ideal destination for history and nature lovers, as one of its main attractions is the Castle of Cadrete, a fortress of Islamic origin that sits on the edge of an impressive cliff.

The castle was built in the 10th century by Caliph Abderramán III, with the aim of watching over the Huerva Valley. During the Middle Ages, the fortress played a strategic role in the defense of the area by the Muslims occupying the region; however, after the conquest of Zaragoza by the Christian kings, the castle passed into the hands of the Aragonese monarchs, who ceded and rented it to various nobles of the time.

One of the most striking features of this castle is that it is located on top of a hill, practically at the edge of a cliff. This offers breathtaking views. Its original structure included a main tower, which today is its most characteristic feature, walls, and a series of buildings that served to accommodate the garrison and store provisions.

In the 19th century, it was abandoned and began to deteriorate, but in recent decades, restoration efforts have been made to preserve and highlight this historical monument, which is currently open to visitors. Conversely, these castles, despite their history, are still inhabited.

If you want to deeply understand the history of the castle, you can visit the interpretation center located on the third floor of the Cadrete Town Hall. In this space, you can enjoy informative and audiovisual panels detailing the figure of Abderramán III and the over a thousand years of history of the castle.

Additionally, you can admire tiles, ceramics, and archaeological finds discovered during the restoration.

You can enjoy guided tours of the castle for just $2, although you must book in advance on their website, where you can also check dates and times.