Official UK partner to the Paradors, Pousadas, Pestana Hotels & Resorts,
Teritoria, and European Hotels Collection. Keytours International,
formerly Keytel International, your agent in the UK.
16th century convent (4*)
The Parador de Almagro offers guests the opportunity to spend the night in an enchanting former convent dating back to the 16th century and steeped in history. This elegant and peaceful Parador is housed within the former Santa Catalina convent which was occupied by Franciscan monks from the early 17th to the 19th century. This particular Order's ethos of ‘prayer, preaching and work’ was more than a little austere, records indicate that at midnight monks would leave their cells to begin a three-hour prayer in the church. After a short repose, bells would sound again to signal the onset of more prayer followed by mass and another prayer. At ten o’clock the monks would receive some refreshment before setting out at midday to begin a day of work as preachers in the neighbouring villages.
Today’s guests are assured of an altogether more laid-back experience and it is indeed sometimes difficult to believe that the Parador’s comfortable modern bedrooms were once monastic cells. Among its many uses throughout history the Convent has also doubled up as a refuge for pilgrims who would pause on their travels to engage in some merriment and put on plays in an improvised theatre. The convent also served as a hospital between 1850 and 1878 before later being recovered by the Franciscan Order. Its current use as a Parador hotel was the result of the Franciscans decision to close the convent in 1942 due to diminishing numbers of monks.
Despite its location in the centre of the town, the Parador de Almagro offers serenity to its guests, the quiet of its many interior courtyards only disturbed by the sounds of fountains and the singing of birds. The hotel is also notable for its galleries and corridors, decorated with frescos, tapestries and latticework and original structures such as the Mudejar-style cloister. The style of the public rooms varies from the austerity of the boardroom to the lavish Rococo of the Louis XV Room and the bodega-bar evoking the time of Cervantes. The Parador de Almagro also has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, inviting guests to cool off during the warmer summer months.
Almagro traces its history back to prehistoric times when local tribes engaged in, and developed, mining as well as basic agriculture and livestock farming. The town would then become a strategic crossroads during Roman times as the Romans transferred troops to and from Toledo in the north.
From the 13th century onwards the region witnessed continuous and fierce fighting between Christians and Moors experiencing numerous key battles with both sides struggling for military supremacy in an area of great strategic importance. The area would also become a hotbed of clashes and confrontation between the imperialist throne and both the local nobility and military orders who looked to rebuff centrist tendencies.
On a more light-hearted note, modern-day Almagro has several sites which underline its historical ties with the Golden Age of Spanish theatre. A highlight of any visit for theatre enthusiasts, and arguably for anyone else, would certainly be the ‘Corral de Comedias’, a majestic open-air theatre whose galleries, stage and dressing rooms definitely merit a visit. Each year it plays host to the country’s pre-eminent International Classical Theatre festival. As such, Almagro is also now the site of the National Theatre Museum which offers a journey through the history of Spanish theatre.
Slightly further afield, nature lovers may be interested to know that Almagro serves as an ideal base for visiting the Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park which lies 45km to the north. This is a paradise for birds and birdwatchers being strategically located on the migration routes of many species which stop here along the way. There are three official itineraries which can be followed and visitors have the option of exploring on foot, as part of a group in off-road vehicles or even by Segway. Almagro is also well-placed for heading out into some excellent wine-making country. The town of Valdepeñas is located just 35km to the east and it boasts several renowned wineries as well as a wine museum where visitors can sample the best of the local produce.
For seasonal Parador pool opening times please visit our information on pools page.
Breakfast is served from 7.30 to 11.00
Lunch from 13.30 to 16.00
Dinner from 20.30 to 23.00. It may be possible to arrive up to 22.30 and still enjoy a meal.
The bar/cafeteria is open from 11.00 to 23.00
Located on the Ronda de San Francisco in the old quarter of the city, the Parador is the ideal starting point to set out on any number of routes and enjoy the urban, historic and artistic district of which it forms a part: the Plaza Mayor, the Corral de Comedias open-air theatre, the Palace of the Fúcares Family, the Municipal Theatre, and more. Following the 'Andalucia Madrid-Cadiz' highway from Manzanares, the Parador can be reached by heading towards 'Bolaños-Almagro'. Following the 'Andalucia Madrid-Cadiz' highway from Valdepeñas, head towards 'Moral de Calatrava-Almagro'. From Ciudad Real follow the N-401 national highway. Following the 'Levante' highway towards Villarrobledo, Almagro can be reached from the N-310 national highway heading towards 'Manzanares-Bolaños-Almagro'
There are two spacious car parks for guests to use.
Castilla La Mancha, just south of Madrid, is perhaps best known for its Manchego cheese and its depiction in Don Quixote. The region has a number of World Heritage Cities and some lovely Paradors, both historic hotels and ones with fabulous views.
