Alhambra

Alhambra stands on an isolated hill in the Campo de Montiel, where its castle overlooked routes across the plains of La Mancha. The site was occupied in Roman times and later became a Muslim stronghold. After the Christian victory at Las Navas de Tolosa, the fortress was taken in 1213 and passed into the hands of the Order of Santiago. The order controlled the surrounding district before its lands were divided among other military orders, diminishing the castle's strategic role.