Rising on a steep hill above the Guadalquivir valley, this is a medieval fortress feels like it is straight out of a storybook with its notched battlements and stout towers in pale stone. It was heavily restored in the early 1900s, so unlike a lot of castles its age it is complete and just as imposing as when it was originally built. Game of Thrones fans will recognize it as Highgarden. Some of the strongest frames are from the base of the hill where castle stands out against the sky. Up close you can walk the walls and climb the towers, including the tall Homage tower, and each one opens onto wide panoramic views across the valley and surrounding countryside. The narrow passages, stairways, and courtyard give you tighter compositions of stone, arches, and shadow between the big scenic shots. The pale walls warm up nicely in the low light near sunrise and sunset, which is also when the valley below picks up depth and haze. Since it sits on a high, exposed hill midday light can fall flat and harsh on the stone. The castle is now privately run so it requires a ticket to access the grounds. There is parking at the base with a short climb up to the castle itself. (Almodóvar del Río, Andalusia, Spain)
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