The castle of Belmonte stands out as an exceptional fortress, not only for its excellent state of preservation, but also for the uniqueness of its architectural layout and an exterior appearance that has hardly changed since it was built in the fifteenth century. It is a heritage jewel of the province of Cuenca, located about 155 kilometers from Madrid, which makes it an accessible and attractive cultural destination.

Its construction began in 1455, at the top of the hill of San Cristobal, on the initiative of Don Juan Pacheco, first Marquis of Villena, one of the most influential characters of the Castile of the fifteenth century. In an era marked by succession conflicts and internal struggles in the Crown, the marquis sought to consolidate his power by acquiring territories and building solid fortresses to reinforce his political position. The works lasted until around 1468, coinciding with the period prior to his third marriage to Doña María Velasco, of whom, significantly, no heraldic coat of arms is preserved in the building.

The original design was the work of the architect Hanequín de Bruselas, a master of Flemish origin very active in Castile, who also participated in the construction of the Collegiate Church of Belmonte. However, some specialists maintain that the prestigious architect Juan Guas, a disciple of Hanequín and architect of important projects for Pacheco, such as the monastery of El Parral in Segovia, was involved in the final phase of the work.

Thus, the castle not only reflects the political and stately ambition of Juan Pacheco, but also the stylistic transition from late Gothic to Mudejar that characterized much of the architecture of the time.