Castillo de Sigüenza
The Visigoths first built a fortress on this site in the 5th century and it has undergone numerous reworkings since. Fortified by the Arabs in the 8th century, it was taken by the French-born fighter and archbishop Bernard of Agen in 1123 and converted into an episcopal palace. The castle was home to a succession of bishops for hundreds of years—an 18th-century occupant added windows, balconies and stables—but a disastrous 1830s fire led to it being abandoned. It was further damaged in the Spanish Civil War when Franco’s troops used it during the battle for the town—you can see a photograph of the destruction in the reception. It didn’t get its final makeover until the 1960s, when it was comprehensively rebuilt to become a parador hotel. Its near-pristine form means it plays host to many a medieval re-enactment, and film directors Ridley Scott and John Glen both used it as a location for their films celebrating the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. You can visit the central courtyard even if you’re not staying at the parador.
The Visigoths first built a fortress on this site in the 5th century and it has undergone numerous reworkings since. Fortified by the Arabs in the 8th century, it was taken by the French-born fighter and archbishop Bernard of Agen in 1123 and converted into an episcopal palace. The castle was home to a succession of bishops for hundreds of years—an 18th-century occupant added windows, balconies and stables—but a disastrous 1830s fire led to it being abandoned. It was further damaged in the Spanish Civil War when Franco’s troops used it during the battle for the town—you can see a photograph of the destruction in the reception. It didn’t get its final makeover until the 1960s, when it was comprehensively rebuilt to become a parador hotel. Its near-pristine form means it plays host to many a medieval re-enactment, and film directors Ridley Scott and John Glen both used it as a location for their films celebrating the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ voyage. You can visit the central courtyard even if you’re not staying at the parador.
Details
Bookstore
Available as paperback
and as e-book.
