In the small town of Maqueda, in the province of Toledo, a years-long saga over the sale of the famous castle known locally as the Tricornio Castle has finally come to an end. Spain’s Ministry of the Interior has finalized a deal with Amcotur, a company specializing in the hotel business. The deal was closed at 3.25 million euros, marking the culmination of twelve years of efforts to sell the property at auction.
The fortress has roots dating back to the 10th century, when it served as a defensive structure. Later, it housed a garrison of the Guardia Civil, and at the beginning of the 21st century, authorities planned to turn the castle into an archive and museum. However, the economic crisis derailed these plans, and the building ended up on the list of government-owned assets put up for sale.
The first attempts to find a buyer started back in 2013. Over this time, the asking price was reduced several times—dropping from nearly 10 million euros to the current 3.25 million. Despite its attractive location near the highway to Extremadura, the castle struggled to find interested buyers. After nine failed auctions, the property was ultimately sold directly.
Future plans: from fortress to hotel
The winning bidder was a company from the Canary Islands with experience working on historical buildings. The new owner plans to transform the castle into a four-star hotel while preserving its architectural heritage. The project aims to restore the ancient walls and integrate modern hotel facilities into the existing infrastructure. Special attention will be given to preserving the archaeological finds within the complex.
Local residents and authorities hope that the new hotel will boost tourism in the region. Until now, the castle was closed to visitors, which frustrated tourists who frequently stopped at its walls. The site is now expected to open to guests, creating new jobs for the city and providing economic support.
A long road to sale and anxious local residents
In recent years, municipal officials have tried to find a new use for the castle, considering various options—from a museum to an event center. However, all initiatives stalled due to a lack of investors and complex bureaucracy. Now that the deal has closed, residents of Maqueda hope the historic landmark will finally be revitalized and become a new attraction for travelers.
The property is still listed for sale on the ministry’s website for now, but the completion of all formalities is expected very soon. After that, the next phase will be reconstruction and preparing the hotel for opening. For this small town, with a population of just over 500 people, this event could mark the beginning of a new era.
