Torre Sangrienta & Castle of Jerez de los Caballeros
Rising above the rooftops on a rocky promontory, the medieval castle and its infamous Torre Sangrienta — the Bloody Tower — tell the brutal story of where Vasco Núñez de Balboa was born and the Knights Templar met their end. Few small Spanish towns pack this much history into a single hilltop.
A fortress forged by crusaders
The castle was built by the Knights Templar in the 13th century after Alfonso IX handed them the town as a reward for helping reconquer Extremadura from the Moors. Walk the restored battlements and you get an immediate sense of how strategically the order chose this ridge, commanding views across rolling dehesa in every direction.
Inside the complex, interpretation panels recount the dramatic 1312 suppression of the Templars — several knights were executed here, giving the tower its grim nickname. The stonework is original and largely unrestored, which makes the atmosphere far more visceral than a polished museum piece.
Birthplace of a Pacific pioneer
A plaque on the castle wall marks Jerez de los Caballeros as the birthplace of Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the first European to see the Pacific Ocean from the Americas in 1513. The town takes enormous pride in this connection — you will find his name on streets, a statue in the main square, and references throughout the local museum.
Combine the castle visit with a slow walk down Calle Templarios, where medieval house fronts survive almost intact. Early morning is best: the low Extremaduran sun turns the limestone gold and you will likely have the alleyways entirely to yourself.
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