CASTILLO DE CHIPIONA

Description

Although of uncertain origin, the castle´s construction was first attributed to Alonso Pérez de Guzmán El Bueno, but recent studies establish it at a later date, most probably during the 15th century.

The original castle would have been smaller with fewer openings, all on a single floor. The current construction is the result of a number of different interventions carried out on the building throughout history in order to adapt it to different uses such as the Town Hall Chapterhouse, the church rectory (17th century), the local jail (18th century), Spanish Civil Guard barracks (19th century) and finally, as a hotel (19th and 20th centuries).

During the 19th century, Chipiona became an important tourist destination for the well-to-do and it was in this period that the castle took on its current appearance, adapted for use as a hotel. Prior to this, Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Princess Louise of Orleáns lived at the castle for over five years and Princess María de las Mercedes of Bourbon, who was the mother of the current King of Spain, also lived here.

In 1985, the Castle was declared a National Cultural Heritage Site and is now home to the exhibition “Cádiz and the New World”.