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12th century Medieval Castle (4*)
The ancient town of Sigüenza is situated to the northeast of Guadalajara, and was under the rule successively of the Romans, Visigoths, Moors and Castilians. Among the many historic buildings is the 12th-century castle, built on the site of a Moorish castle taken in 1123 by Bernard of Argén, its first bishop. The castle then became the fortress-palace of the bishops of Sigüenza, and in the 14th century it was the prison of Blanca de Bourbon, consort of Pedro the Cruel.
The castle is now the magnificent Parador de Sigüenza, situated at the highest point of the town, its austere fortified exterior of sheer walls, turrets and battlements belie the luxury and tranquillity that lies within. And its position offers stunning views over the medieval town.
Pride of place goes to the vast lounge, once the banqueting hall, which is decorated with stylish artworks and historic-style light fixtures. The inner courtyard, with its picturesque fountain and well is the perfect setting for taking an evening stroll, or enjoying the Parador’s impressive architecture in the sunshine. Along with the beautiful castle of Sigüenza’s Parador itself, a 13th-century Romanesque chapel is conserved and open to guests.
The bedrooms – some of which have four-poster beds and balconies – enjoy views over the town, courtyard, or the surrounding countryside, and are furnished in traditional Castilian style.
In summer months, guests can enjoy a refreshment in the charming courtyard and soak in the historic nature of this beautiful Parador. The Parador's atmospheric restaurant, with its wonderful arches and exposed brick walls, offers a a number of local specialities.
The castle truly is one of the focal points of Sigüenza, and through your stay this Parador you have the opportunity to become part of the town’s stunning skyline.
At first glance, the town of Sigüenza seems entirely untouched by modern influence. Like many towns in Castile-La Mancha, it has retained much of its old architecture, and with its narrow alleys and cobbled streets, you can be forgiven for believing you’ve stepped into the past. A historically important town, it has been under Roman, Visigoth, Moorish, and Castilian rule, and as a result, flavours of each of these cultures can be found in the town’s architecture.
Aside from the Parador, the cathedral is undoubtedly the town’s most prominent feature. Rising up from the centre and seen by all who approach Sigüenza, it resembles a military fortress, which is exactly what it was used for when first built. Romanesque in origin with the addition of Gothic elements in subsequent years, it was constructed on the orders of Sigüenza’s first bishop, Bernardo de Agén, as a way to ward off any attacks by ousted Moors and took nearly four centuries to complete. Since then the building has suffered great damage through subsequent wars, until it was restored to its former glory by the Parador network. The cathedral opens out onto Sigüenza’s main square, Plaza Mayor. With its cobblestones and surrounding arches, it adds to the impression of having being transported back to the Middle Ages. Originally constructed by Cardinal Mendoza in the 15th century to house the Town Hall and Treasury, it was later home to Castilian nobility, and today is popular with tourists looking to enjoy local delicacies and visit the open air market. Situated between Zaragoza and Madrid, Sigüenza is perfectly positioned to visit these popular cities, yet escape from the hustle and bustle in a historical setting.
As part of the Castile-La Mancha region, along with other cities, it is often cited as ‘Don Quixote country’, and as such, there are Don Quixote routes across this region offering visits to famous sites from the novel. In keeping with the medieval feel and history of the town, the second weekend in July is dedicated to a medieval festival much lake many others in the region. Here all of the locals dress up in traditional medieval style and act out scenes from history. One of the key events is the storming of the castle, re-enacting the attempts of knights and townsfolk to free Blanca de Bourbon from Pedro the Cruel’s imprisonment.
Restaurant opening times:
Breakfast: 8.15 to 11.00 (Mon-Fri) and 8.30 to 11.00 (Sat & Sun).
Continual lunch/dinner service is available from from 14.00 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 23.30 (Mon-Thu) and 11.30 to midnight (Fri, Sat & Sun)
The Castle of Sigüenza dominates the town from its highest part, presiding over its historical and artistic heritage. It can be reached easily from Madrid and Zaragoza along the N-II. At Km 104 we turn off along the local road, 23 km from Sigüenza; or at Km 136, at the turning for Alcolea, 20 km from Sigüenza. The Parador is located 75 km from Guadalajara, the capital of the province.
The Parador does not have its own car park but guests can park in the public square in front of the Parador.
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.
