The castle of Rochafrida, also known as Rochafría, is a fortress located above the town of Beteta, at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters that offers spectacular views of the fertile valley of the Guadiela River. From this strategic location, the pass through the Hoz de Beteta was protected and key routes that connected Cuenca with Molina de Aragón were controlled.
Probably of Muslim origin, it was built over previous Iberian settlements. During the Muslim domination, the fortress of Beteta became a key strategic point, controlling the passage to Molina de Aragón, the frontier of Muslim domination for a long time. Throughout its history, the castle has been owned by different families such as the Carrillo and Albornoz, has had various uses and has undergone several reforms.
The Carlist wars of the 19th century marked the beginning of its decline, as the castle suffered serious damage due to its important military function. During the First Carlist War, General Cabrera considered the position of Beteta as a base to consolidate the lands of Cuenca and Guadalajara and to approach Madrid.
Among its remains is the keep, in the middle of the parade ground, a pentagonal structure with two floors and an upper parapet. Inside the castle there were different spaces according to their function: lodgings for the officers, cellar, warehouses and rooms for the troops. Next to the main entrance, a segmental arch is still preserved, which gives access to a small guard room with a fireplace, which served as a guardhouse.
The castle was partially restored in 2018, which significantly improved its exterior appearance. However, much work remains to be done in both restoration and research to resolve doubts about its origin and its former inhabitants.
