MYSTERIOUS MOORISH CASTLE

We went for a long walk in the dehesa near the embalses Horno Tejero and Boquerón, although only 20 minutes from the finca, already in the Badajoz province. Very beautiful open parkland with some ancient cork oaks, plenty of pigs and sheep grazing. Some old cortijos on extensive estates, all beautifully maintained in the old manner.
In the distance on a small hill we saw crumbling ancient stone walls rising above the surrounding trees......... too interesting to resist.

As we approached the edifice it became, more obviously, a small castle or defensive fort. Difficult to estimate the age but probably Moorish as are all the other defensive forts in the area; we are too far away from the Portuguese border for border strongholds erected throughout the middle ages and into the 18th century.

A very romantic place with some towers still in place surrounding a large open grassy area in the middle. A gentle wind rocked the trees, a timeless atmosphere of tranquility buried deep in the woods with stupendous views over the beautiful countryside down to the lakes and an old cortijo.............another secret corner of Extremadura.