Muñatones Castle

Muñatones Castle is the result of a long construction process that lasted throughout the 14th and 15th centuries, in the context of the faction wars that ravaged the Basque Country at that time. It is one of the most outstanding elements of Biscayan architectural heritage, which is why it was declared a Monumental Complex, recognizing its exceptional historical value and the quality of its preserved remains. This is the only tower in Biscay that deserves the designation of a castle, due to its system of exterior walls. It is also linked to one of the most unique figures in our history, the powerful Lope García de Salazar, a man of arms and letters, to whom we owe the writing of the famous Bienandanzas e Fortunas (Good Fortunes and Good Things). The El Pobal Ironworks bears a close relationship with the factional fortress. Ochoa de Salazar, grandson of the chronicler Lope García, built the ironworks at the beginning of the 16th century, and his descendants maintained ownership of this ironworks for nearly 200 years. A combined visit to the castle and forge illustrates different but complementary aspects of Bizkaia’s past. Both are evocative settings, through which we learn about the lifestyles of the rural nobility and the sources of wealth on which their power was based. Guided tours are offered on Sundays from mid-June to mid-September. Theatrical tour “The Intrigues of Muñatones” in July. Medieval tour + tasting “The Diet of Lope” in September.