San Marcos Castle

San Marcos Castle is also known as Alfonso X The Wise Castle. It is a fortress church with an area of 4,000 square metres, built in 1264 on the foundations of a 10th-century Arab mosque. It is very close to the course of the river Guadalete. It occupies a large part of a block bounded by the Plaza de Alfonso X to the east, where its main entrance is located. To the west, it borders Federico Rubio Street. In the south, its outer wall rises with two turrets facing the Resbaladero area. The north side faces Juan de la Cosa Square. 

It is protected as a Cultural Interest Asset categorised as a monument, and it was published in the Madrid Gazette on 5 September 1920.

It was constructed by order of the aforementioned Christian monarch in honour of the Virgin after taking El Puerto de Santa María. It has a rectangular plan with eight towers, one located at each corner and another at the centre of each side. All the towers have Almohad decoration, topped with peaked battlements. The towers at the corners are octagonal, and the rest have a quadrangular plan. Ancient stonemason marks are still preserved on the lower part. The octagonal Keep Tower is remarkable, housing the apse of the sanctuary of Alfonso X's Gothic church in its lower part.

The ownership of this Castle has been linked since the early 14th century to the lineage of Don Fernando de la Cerda, eldest son of Alfonso X the Wise (Duke of Medinacelli). In 1934, it became the property of the El Puerto de Santa María City Council. After the Spanish Civil War, a branch of the Medinacelli house managed to recover it again, but in the mid-50s it was acquired by the company Luis Caballero S.A.

It lost its function as a fortress and was dedicated to other uses - council or town hall headquarters, archive, material depot, galley prisoners' prison and tenement -, undergoing some transformations. But its basic form and Almohad aspect are still preserved. Its last restoration was in 1943. From its original construction as a mosque, the qibla wall or south wall is preserved, where the mihrab or niche is located, discovered in 1934 when an altar that concealed it was dismantled.

Despite its age, it remains in perfect condition for use. Inside and in its exterior gardens, cultural events, congresses, lunches and dinners can be held for a maximum capacity of 300 people. 

Its interior, with its historical atmosphere, is a perfect space for hosting events and dinners, for example, closing congresses and conventions. In summer, the outdoor areas surrounding this Castle provide a unique setting for open-air events. Additionally, it currently enjoys the privilege of having the Caballero Winery annexed. 

A monument of great charm in El Puerto de Santa María that is worth visiting.