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If you’ve ever dreamed of living the fairytale life in Spain, you might be surprised to learn it could cost you less than a new car. For just €50,000, you could become the owner of a 12th-century watchtower in Valhermoso de la Fuente, a tiny village in the Castilla-La Mancha town of Cuenca with around 60 residents.

 

The tower once linked up with nearby fortresses such as Alarcón to pass on messages, something like a medieval WhatsApp. It sits on a hill with sweeping views over the Júcar River valley and comes with a 15,000 square metre plot. The land already has electricity at its edge and up to 80% of the restoration could be covered by funding.

 

Of course, it will need serious work before anyone can actually live there. The good news is that the four original floors and part of the old defensive wall can be restored. An architectural project has already been completed and would allow the tower to be rebuilt with its four floors while preserving the historic structure.

 

“The tower can be rebuilt with its four floors while preserving the original structure,” explained María Algarra of real estate agency Serrano Poveda, who added that several interested buyers have already been to see it.

 

For those with a bigger budget there are two more castles currently for sale in Castilla La Mancha. In Guadalajara, the 15th century Establés Castle is on the market for €450,000. It’s also known as Malasombra or bad shadow, a name that comes from its history. Local records say that Captain Gabriel de Ureña, who built it on the orders of the Medinaceli family, forced villagers to cut costs and wages to complete the job.

 

And then there is Maqueda Castle in Toledo. Declared a Historic Artistic Monument in 1931, it has seen everything from Islamic rule under Almanzor to the Catholic Queen Isabella living within its walls.

 

More recently it served as a Guardia Civil barracks and a national archive. After years of failed auctions the Ministry of the Interior is now asking just over €3.25 million for it, down from the original €9.5 million.

 

Unlike the rustic watchtower in Cuenca, Maqueda’s interior is modern and ready to use, although it is probably better suited as a hotel than a family home. The local council still hopes the state will keep it and lend it for tourism use rather than see it sold off.

 

So whether you fancy a bargain fixer upper with unbeatable views or a grand fortress steeped in history, it seems that in Castilla La Mancha fairytale living really is up for grabs.

 

Image: Turismo Castilla-La Mancha