Located just 1.5 hours northwest of Madrid, Sigüenza is a beautiful town that is steeped in history and has an outstanding architectural heritage.
Over the centuries Sigüenza has been ruled by the Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Christians, and all have left their mark on this medieval town. In the 8th C. the Moors built a castle on the foundation of a building that dated back to the 5th C. The Christians took possession of the castle in the 12th C. when they overthrew the Moors, and built an Episcopal palace inside the enclosure of the castle. The castle was subsequently looted and damaged in 1808 during the War of Spanish Independence and was later devastated by a fire in the 1830s and subsequently abandoned.
In the 1970s the castle was acquired by the Ministry of Tourism and in 1978 it was inaugurated as a Parador as part of the government’s chain of hotels. Visitors can now stay in the Parador de Sigüenza and experience firsthand what it is like to stay in a castle. For more information and reservations, click here.
Another important monument in Sigüenza is the Cathedral. Built in 1130, the Cathedral of Sigüenza is a large Gothic building, with Romanesque towers, a portico and a magnificent rose window that resembles a medieval fortress. Opposite the Cathedral is the picturesque Plaza Mayor (main square), lined with Renaissance style houses with arcades and balconies, and the Town Hall.
Photo Credit: José Ibáñez / Malaya at Panoramio (CC BY 3.0)
For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.