During your visit to the Castle of San Marcos you will get to know the history of El Puerto de Santa María. This activity, which includes a wine tasting, can be completed with a visit to Bodegas Caballero, the company that manages both facilities. It is also an ideal place to hold your most special events.
The Castle of San Marcos is one of the historical symbols in El Puerto de Santa María (Province of Cadiz, Spain). It has Roman origin and was an important Muslim location. It forges its legend after the reconquest of the city as a religious and defensive building. This happened after the appearance of the Virgin to King Alfonso X in the battlements of the Castle, urging him to conquer the Port of “Alcanate”.
A few centuries later, and under the Medinaceli family, it served as lodging for Christopher Columbus. At that time, and together with the Duke of Medinaceli, he conceived the route of the Indies by the West. Moreover, the mapmaker Juan de la Cosa, owner of the legendary “Santa Maria” ship, spent some time in the Castle. In 1500, he drew the first map showing the American coast.
In 1920, the Castle was declared part of National Heritage. Since that time, many cultural, artistic and academic events have been organised there. Moreover, the “Cátedra de Alfonso X” has also been established thanks to the collaboration of the Grupo Caballero and several universities. It is also the place where the library of Alphonsine studies is housed.
During the visit to the Castle you will discover iconic and special places such as the Alcanate Mosque, where you can move back in time to the splendorous Al-andalus period. The Winery of the Castle, which resembles the same classical cathedral style of local wineries. The Patio de la Música, which gathers the history of the castle, pieces of Alphonsine architecture and from the times of the Catholic Monarchs. Finally, the Patio del Pozo, a place where you can find the highest tower of the Castle.
Moreover, the visit to the Castle of San Marcos includes a tasting of 4 wines and lasts approximately one hour. If you would like to enjoy a unique wine tourism experience, you can complete it with a visit to Bodega Caballero. This combined activity lasts approximately 2 hours. It offers a tasting of 5 wines and the possibility of an appetiser on request.
The Castle of San Marcos is also an ideal place to hold your most special events, such as family celebrations or weddings, events and business presentations and cultural activities.
Definitely, the Castle of San Marcos and Bodega Caballero are an absolute must when visiting El Puerto de Santa María.