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Spain - Teruel - Alcaniz |
Parador in a 12th Century Castle and the ased as a convent This three star Parador resides on the hill top of Cumbre de Cerro Pui-Pinos. It became the seat of the Order of Calatrava in 1179.
In earlier times the castle formed the natural defence of the town. The original keep, and bell tower - sacristy have been preserved and an area was converted to an Aragonese Palace in the 18th century.
A plaque in the Parador shows that in 1410, Martin the Humane, who was king of Aragon, Catalonia, Valencia and Mallorca, died without an heir. The noblemen met to discuss the rights of the various Pretenders to the Throne.
Members of Parliament were also involved and took two years to come to a decision after consulting various Ambassadors, in particular those from Castile, France, Sicily and the Vatican. In 1412 agreement was reached and 'La Concordia' was signed with Fernando I becoming king of Aragon. Hence the name of this Parador.
This proved to be a wise choice, his decendents became some of the most famous names in Iberian history.
In 1728 Prince Philip converted part of the castle into his palace and this area was converted into a Parador in 1968.
The position of the castle dominates the landscape of the Maestrazgo region and has centuries old houses clustered at the foot of the hill.
The Parador features a baroque facade and has gothic walls. The interior is decorated in soft red and green shades and liberal use is made of rich Spanish wood in the furniture and ceilings.In the original rooms the ceilings are 12 foot high and the walls three feet thick. Some rooms have views over the old roofs to the terraced fields below and the river.
The dining room has a high beamed ceiling and a large fireplace that was needed in earlier times to keep the room warm in winter
The restaurants of the Parador group offer a mix of international and regional dishes. The regional specialties of this Parador are :
"Huevos a la Alcanizana", egg dish;
"Ternasco Asado", roast young lamb;
"Tortas de Alma y Almendrados", Almond tart;The local wines of Somontano and Carinena are a perfect accompaniment for these dishes.
In the town of Alcaniz, the places to visit are the Excolegiata, the Gothic paintings in the Torre del Homenaje, the Medieval "Pasadizos" (corridors), the City Hall, and the Gothic "Lonja" (marketplace).The International Aragon Festival is held in July and August.
Parador de Alcaniz has twenty eight twin bedded rooms, seven double bed rooms and two bedrooms with salon.
Each room has a telephone, television, TV canal plus, safe and mini bar. The Parador is heated and has air conditioning, elevator, restaurant and bar.
There is also a gymnasium and sauna.
Animals are not allowed.
D I R E C T I O N S The Parador is located at the top of the Cerro Pui-Pinos, at the foot of which extends a city of squares with porticos and narrow streets with balconies, maintaining its medieval charms. Alcaniz is located 105 km from Zaragoza along the main N-232 road towards Madrid, and 65 km from Morella, on the road to Castellón de La Plana.
