Castles In Spain

Castles in Spain (1989) by Michael Busselle (Pavilion Books) is the sort of book that does exactly what it says on the tin, and then quietly outclasses the tin. Castles. In Spain. No metaphor, no self-help pivot, no coy “journey of discovery.” Just stone, ramparts, towers, and the accumulated confidence of centuries of people saying, “Yes, we will build something enormous on that hill, and yes, it will look impressive from miles away.”

There’s a lovely irony in the phrase “castles in Spain,” too. It’s often used like “pie in the sky” — fanciful dreams, unrealistic plans, airy daydreams. And then you open this book and realise Spain took the concept very literally and built the daydreams out of rock. Thick walls, strategic vantage points, dramatic silhouettes, and that uniquely medieval blend of practicality and theatre: everything designed to keep enemies out while making sure everyone else knows you could.

Busselle’s approach is exactly what you want from a late-80s Pavilion hardback: rich visuals, strong sense of place, and a real appreciation for the romance of architecture without turning it into syrup. This isn’t just a list of fortresses; it’s an invitation to wander. You can practically feel the sun on the stone and hear your footsteps echo in courtyards that have seen far too much history to bother being impressed by you. The photos and descriptions lean into the best kind of travel-book pleasure: you’re not merely learning, you’re going, even if you’re doing it from the sofa with a cup of tea and absolutely no risk of climbing anything.

And because it’s 1989, you get that specific pre-internet charm: the book isn’t competing with a thousand glossy feeds. It’s curated, deliberate, and quietly confident that a well-shot photograph and a bit of context will do the job. It’s the sort of volume that makes you want to plan a trip, draw a route, and then immediately accept that you will, in reality, just keep turning pages and imagining yourself dramatically leaning on a parapet like a person who definitely owns land. (You don’t. But the book will briefly convince you that you might.)

Condition: Good, sold by Crappy Old Books — which is a perfect pairing. A “Good” copy of a castle book feels right: sturdy, slightly lived-in, still absolutely serviceable. Much like an actual castle, if we’re being honest. And the seller name adds a little comic contrast: noble stone strongholds and soaring history… dispatched into your life by someone calling themselves Crappy Old Books. It’s almost poetic.

If you love architecture, travel, medieval drama, or simply the idea of buildings that refuse to be subtle, Castles in Spain is a cracking find. It’s handsome, evocative, and full of the kind of scenery that makes you sigh happily and think, “Right, yes — I should definitely be wandering around a fortress in the Spanish sun,” before remembering you’re in your living room. Still. Close enough. The imagination has excellent range.

Keep browsing: See more Travel books Other books by Michael Busselle