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Medieval castle-palace (4*)
The Parador de Oropesa began life as a 14th century castle-palace for the Alvarez de Toledo family and was fully restored in the 15th century. Five centuries later, in 1930, this was one of the first of many historical buildings to be inaugurated into the Parador family. Not only is this a beautiful building, but due to the history surrounding the property, the Parador has been endorsed with the honour of becoming an official Parador Museum. This means you can easily explore the Parador’s, and indeed town’s, rich history. If you take the route from the lower gallery to the upper floor, you will notice that the Parador’s history is depicted by 30 plaques along the way. Discover the secrets of the castle, the links with the movie making business and bullfighting. For film lovers, the Parador offers the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of cinematic greats such as Frank Sinatra and Sophia Loren. In fact, Sinatra’s ‘Pride and Passion’ used the Parador itself as a filming location.
As you approach the Parador you will note that there is a slight Greek influence in the façade in the form of ionic columns. This influence would fit in with the legend that the town of Oropesa is said to have been founded by the Greek hero Hercules. Upon entering the Parador you will be greeted with high ceilings, which are a mixture of vaulted and timbered, authentic paintings and a light and airy atmosphere perfect for a relaxing holiday. The medieval feel of the Parador is emphasised in the décor which manages to appear elegant rather than outdated. Floors are painted with Arabic designs and the Gothic-Mudejar coffered ceiling in the dining room is particularly impressive. Make sure to watch out for the low archway which links the two communal areas!
Oropesa’s Parador benefits from stunning panoramic views of the Toledo countryside. Imagine sitting out on the terrace enjoying a drink at the end of an exciting day of exploring whilst taking in the rural views of vineyards, olive groves and up towards the Gredos mountains. For warmer months, the Parador offers an outdoor swimming pool complete with sun loungers and a well-manicured garden from which to enjoy those spectacular views. A stay at the Parador de Oropesa will leave you feeling like a King or a Queen as the bedrooms have paid particular attention to the medieval regal theme. For an extra special stay, the Parador is proud to offer the “Peinador de la Reina” or “Queen’s dressing room”. This spacious room forms part of the Parador network’s special Unique Rooms, and is located in the tower and offers two substantial separate living areas, as well as seven balconies which all offer panoramic views over the castle, Oropesa’s old quarter, Campo Arañuelo and Gredos. The room is completed with a large four-poster bed, which features a delicately hand-painted headboard.
Legend has it that Oropesa earned its name from a Christian princess who was worth her weight “pesa” in gold “oro”, hence “Oropesa”. Approximately 3,000 people inhabit what is claimed to be the oldest town in the region, over a space of 358km². At a height of 425km the views from Oropesa are quite spectacular. If you find the perfect spot, it is possible to simultaneously look out over Toledo, Madrid, Cáceres and Ávila and even see the snow on the Gredos Mountains. Named a “Villa Monumental” or a “Historic town”, buildings, churches, convents and monasteries have been perfectly preserved to allow you to experience Oropesa just how it was all those years ago.
For those lucky enough to visit in April you may get to experience the annual medieval festival where locals dress as characters such as historic knights, noblemen and bishops, amongst others and take part in displays. Some are even adventurous enough to scale the historic buildings to show how it would have been done in medieval times. Oropesa is on the route from Madrid to Lisbon so is perfect for exploring the Extremadura region either for a stopping off point or for an indulgent stay in the medieval era.
For seasonal Parador pool opening times please visit our information on pools page.
Restaurant opening hours:
Breakfast: 8.00 to 11.00
Lunch: 13.30 to 16.00
Dinner: 20.30 to 23.00. It may be possible to arrive up to 22.30 and still enjoy a meal.
Cafe/bar is open from 11.00 until midnight.
Located right in the town centre of Oropesa, you can't fail to see the Parador from the Extremadura dual carriageway, the N-V, at Km 148. The Parador is 35 km from Talavera de la Reina, 32 from Navalmoral de la Mata and 112 km from Toledo.
Free car park within the Parador grounds but it is a public car park.
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.
