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14th century castle (4*)
Dramatically situated on a rocky rise above the River Águeda, this ivy-clad medieval castle – now the exceptional Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo – once guarded the main road between Salamanca and Portugal. The site of Ciudad Rodrigo has been occupied since Neolithic times and the city takes its name from Count Rodrigo González Girón, who re-founded it in 1110. Its strategic position meant that it was an important prize during the peninsular war: Marshall Ney captured the city in 1810 for the Napolenic forces and two years later it fell to the Duke of Wellington as he pushed the French out of Portugal and back across Spain. The castle as it now stands was constructed on the orders of Enrique de Trastámara in the 14th century – hence the name of the Parador: Enrique II, and the castle featured heavily in the fighting between the 2 forces.
Ciudad Rodrigo's Parador, located in the historical centre of the city, is dominated by an imposing two-tier castellated tower and is surrounded by a well-tended garden. The interior maintains a very historic atmosphere with a fine courtyard and Castilian furniture. The Parador's restaurant – which features fine old stone arches – offers a range of dishes from the Salamanca region.
From the 2nd century the Romans held the town and it was known as Augustobriga and later Civitas Augusta, before the Goths and the Moors controlled it and it became known as Mirobriga. It was later rumoured that Count Rodrigo Gonzalez Giron retreated to this region after the defeat of his forces at Guadalete, and the town was renamed Ciudad Rodrigo in his honour in the 12th century. However the region spent many years in decline and it was only when King Fernando II brought Christians to the area and fortified the town that it began to regain its importance as a significant border town. The building of a cathedral was undertaken but took 2 centuries to finish. Eventually in the 14th century, Enrique II - who went on to be crowned King of Castilla and Leon - built the existing fortress facing Portugal. The 15th and 16th centuries were significant periods for the development of the city and some remnants of the palaces and religious monuments can still be seen today, despite the destruction of much of the city in the 17th and 18th century during the wars of succession. The fortress went on to feature heavily in the Napoleonic war, as it was first taken by the French in 1810 (Marshall Ney occupied the city after a 24-day siege) and later the British and Portuguese forces in 1812. The Spanish forces defended the city valiantly and only conceded when the wall was breached and defeat was in sight. The French also fought hard to keep the city theirs, but after 11 days of artillery bombardment from 2 hills overlooking the city, the wall was breached again and the British forced their way in. The city was a vital stepping stone for each army to control this route from Portugal to Spain and evidence of the heavy bombardments is still clearly viewable.
Ciudad Rodrigo remains today an attractive monument to the history of Spain, a small gem of a city that has featured in much of Spain's transition from Roman and Moorish colony to the unified regions of present day. In 1929, the fortress became the Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo and in 1944 the historic centre was declared a historic and artistic area for preservation. The Parador has since accommodated many famous figures including the King and Queen of Spain.
Restaurant opening times:
Breakfast: 8.00 to 11.00
Lunch: 13.30 to 15.45
Dinner: 20.30 to 22.30. It may be possible to arrive up to 22.00 and still enjoy a meal.
Cafe/bar is open from 11.00 until 22.30 (until 23.00 on Friday and Saturday)
The Parador is located in the historical centre of the city ("Conjunto Historico Artistico"), surrounded by the defensive medieval wall which begins and ends at the Castle of Henry II. The gateways to the city, the cathedral and other monuments form its privileged surroundings. Ciudad Rodrigo is 89 km from Salamanca along the N-620 and 28 km from Portugal along the E-80.
There is covered exterior parking for a daily charge. At night the car park is closed.
The largest of Spain's 17 Autonomous Communities, Castilla y León is unsurprisingly home to some of the countries most important cities, historic cultural sites and and 15 Paradors, so you can plan a leisurely itinerary across the region.
