Cardinal Castle is an 18th-century fortress located in Corcubión (A Coruña), in the heart of the Costa da Morte, overlooking the entrance to the estuary and facing the Atlantic Ocean, one of the most emblematic and best-preserved landscapes on the European coast.
Cardinal Castle is classified as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), in the monument category. The structure is a star-shaped fortified peninsula. The Cardinal coastal battery is located in the Corcubión Estuary, at Punta do Cantelo, in the Province of A Coruña, within the municipality of Corcubión. In the 17th century, two fortifications were erected in the Corcubión Estuary to defend the port—the Cardinal and the Prince—due to the constant threat of privateers and incursions. It was built of stone, using materials from local quarries, as was customary for coastal batteries of that period. The intention was for the structure to blend into its surroundings and thus surprise attackers, protecting the safety of expeditions bound for Northern Europe or the Mediterranean, as well as preventing the plundering of inland towns. It is a fortified coastal battery with an irregular layout combining three batteries facing the coast and two asymmetrical hornworks on the landward front. The northern battery has three embrasures, the eastern battery seven, and the southern battery five. In addition, two more embrasures open at the two corners, making a total of 17 embrasures. Since it only ever had 12 cannons, some of them would have remained uncovered. It occupies an area of approximately 2,800 m². Inside the enclosure, surrounding the parade ground, there is a U-shaped building that is now used as a residence, with 8 bedrooms and oil-fired heating, but which originally served as barracks for the troops, warehouses, a powder magazine, and other castle facilities. It also had gardens inside and a freshwater well for subsistence in the event of a siege. Cardinal Castle was burned by Napoleonic troops in 1809, and since then it was no longer used by state authorities. Cardinal Fortress remained in public hands, in a ruinous condition, until 1950, when the administration sold it and it passed into private ownership. The private owners restored it, and consequently the property is current with all its obligations, free of financial and registry encumbrances, and in an excellent state of preservation. It also has excellent structural integrity, as recorded in the updated technical report issued by the Xunta de Galicia.
The true value of Cardinal Castle lies in the fact that new 18th-century castles cannot be built, nor can three centuries of history be manufactured. Cardinal Castle offers the possibility of developing an outstanding project compatible with heritage and planning regulations: a luxury boutique hotel, a private club, a renowned fine-dining restaurant, a wellness and spa facility, a glazed gallery integrated into the historic courtyard with absolute respect for its character, a high-end glamping area, spaces for exclusive events, and other tourism, cultural, or institutional uses that may be authorized. However, it would be a mistake to define this asset solely by its potential uses. The true project for Cardinal Castle is to create an international destination, a place where heritage, architecture, landscape, gastronomy, and culture become one. It includes an urban property, with its annexes and adjoining land, beside the Corcubión Estuary, covering a total area of 24,134 m². The property has a private three-phase electricity line supplying the Castle. It also includes rural pine woodland known as “PRADO DO CASTELO” or “PRADO DO CASTILLO,” with an area of 7,437 m². RURAL PROPERTY. Pine woodland known as “PINAR DEL CASTILLO,” measuring 2,604 m². RURAL PROPERTY. Pine woodland known as “CASTELO,” measuring 8,300 m² and enclosed by a low wall. It is accessed via a private path to the northwest of the property, beginning at the road to A Redonda.