This page is only available in Spanish. View in Spanish

History of Geldo

Geldo, in the Alto Palancia, is of Arab origin and was called Torre de la Selda. It keeps the palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli, declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1985.

Middle Ages

The source dates the settlement back to 1125, under the name Torre de la Selda (Xeldo). In 1233 James I conquered the Muslim castle of Castellnovo and surrounding lands, including Geldo, and on 12 July 1248 he granted the lordship to García Pérez de Osa. Between 1404 and 1464 the Valterra family ruled, selling the village to Tomás Sorell.

Early modern period

In 1610 Jaime Sorell led an assault on the Moriscos at La Muela de Cortes de Arenoso. In 1611 Enrique Folch de Cardona granted the founding charter, after the Vilanova family bought the place. In 1985 the palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli was declared a Site of Cultural Interest.

Timeline

1233: James I conquers Castellnovo and surroundings, including Geldo.
12 July 1248: Lordship granted to García Pérez de Osa.
1464: Valterra family sells Geldo to Tomás Sorell.
1611: Founding charter from Enrique Folch de Cardona.
1985: Palace becomes a Site of Cultural Interest.

Text written by Zona Zero TV from public sources; early dates vary between authors. Sources: Geldo (Hispanopedia, basado en Wikipedia, CC BY-SA). Checked on 2/11/2026.