Let me show you around Sigüenza, a Historic Town in Guadalajara
Stay at El Castillo (the Castle). The main street of Sigüenza heads south up the hill from the cathedral to the castle, which was originally built by the Romans and was, a Moorish fortress, royal palace, asylum and army barracks. It was partially destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and subsequently rebuilt as a Parador (hotel). Even if you are not a guest, you are welcome to wander in and use the cafeteria, restaurant and other general areas, which overlook a beautiful courtyard.
We only spent one night here because Sigüenza is a place that can be seen in one day. It's a great stop if you are taking a tour around Spain or as a 1-day visit if your are based in Madrid. If you are coming from the capital of Spain you can take the Medieval train. Troubadours, stilt-walkers and jugglers all climb on board this peculiar train. Throughout the trip, you can enjoy medieval entertainment, sample sweets and pastries (info here).
Take a guided tour of the cathedral. It started as a Romanesque piece in 1130 and continued to expand over the following 4 centuries. It has elements from Gothic, Plateresque, Renaissance and even Mudejar style making it one of the most beautiful and impressive cathedrals I've ever seen. The church was heavily damaged during the civil war, but was subsequently rebuilt. The tour walks you through the cloister, shows you a masterpiece by El Greco, takes you into the breathtaking Sacristía de las Cabezas -with a ceiling adorned with hundreds of sculpted heads- and lets you see a magnificent collection of tapestry. The icing on the cake is the is the Capilla Mayor, home of the reclining marble statue of Don Martín Vázquez de Arce (the statue is named El Doncel), who died at 25 fighting the Muslims in the final stages of the Reconquista.
I just love walking around historic places and imagining what life was like at the time. Just like in the Pillars of the Earth.
SIGÜENZA: BEST THINGS TO DO
Wander around the cobbled streets and shop some craftsmanship at the picturesque shops around town.Stay at El Castillo (the Castle). The main street of Sigüenza heads south up the hill from the cathedral to the castle, which was originally built by the Romans and was, a Moorish fortress, royal palace, asylum and army barracks. It was partially destroyed during the Spanish Civil War and subsequently rebuilt as a Parador (hotel). Even if you are not a guest, you are welcome to wander in and use the cafeteria, restaurant and other general areas, which overlook a beautiful courtyard.
We only spent one night here because Sigüenza is a place that can be seen in one day. It's a great stop if you are taking a tour around Spain or as a 1-day visit if your are based in Madrid. If you are coming from the capital of Spain you can take the Medieval train. Troubadours, stilt-walkers and jugglers all climb on board this peculiar train. Throughout the trip, you can enjoy medieval entertainment, sample sweets and pastries (info here).
I just love walking around historic places and imagining what life was like at the time. Just like in the Pillars of the Earth.
Be sure to bundle up if you visit Sigüenza in winter. Apart from the famous landmarks, this place is also well-known for being one of the coldest places in Spain.
Next Monday I'll give you a tour around El Castillo. It was a great experience and we got to tick the "sleep in a castle" box in our bucket list!
xo Cristina
