Parador de Siguenza Castillo de Siguenza

Spain - Castile - Siguenza

Luxury four star hotel in a modernised twelfth century castle

The original castle was built in the fifth century and strengthened by the Moors in 712. In 1123 it was retaken by Fernando I and El Cid and was converted into a Bishop's Palace.

In the late 1800's it fell into disuse and after a restoration which begun in 1964 it opened as a Parador twelve years later.

The lounge is the original dining room of the castle. This huge room dwarfs the furniture made to accommodate mere humans with many chandeliers overhead lighting the vast area. The walls are hung with banners and suits of armour are displayed.

Traditional Castilian furniture is found in the spacious, welcoming bedrooms some of which have four poster beds and a terrace. The views from the terrace may be over the red roofs of the town and the hills beyond or into paved the inner courtyard with it's fountain and well

Within this old building you find the requirements of a modern top hotel such as the gymnasium and sauna.

The restaurant windows look out over the farming land surrounding the castle. Local dishes are on the menu. In the dining room guests can sample local dishes from a tempting menu. The menu includes the following dishes :

"Huevos fritos con migas y torreznos" fried eggs with savory fried bread crumbs and breaded bacon;
"Cabrito asado a la barrena" which is roasted young goat which has been locally produced;
"Medallones de solomillo al fino olorosa" being succulent pork cooked in a wine sauce;
and for dessert try the:
"Borrachitos seguntinos", a sweet pastry soaked in liqueur;
"Flores de Cabanillas which is a pastry dish shaped as a flower;

This can be accompanies by a "rosado" a rose wine from the Avila area.

In Siguenza, the cathedral is worth a visit. Look for the tomb of Martin de Arce who was a page of Queen Isabella and killed in a battle at Granada. The fifteenth century statue of him reading a book that is above his tomb was commissioned by the Queen. It is called "El Doncel" which translates as 'page' or even as 'young virgin' but here is thought to mean 'beautiful delicate young person'.

The church Museum has two good works by El Greco and Zurbaran and a visit should also be made to the sacristy to see the ceiling.

Other places to visit locally are the Roman salt mines of Imon, the Roman Arch and the Collegial Church in Medinaceli and the Monastery of Santa Maria de la Huerta.

In Siguenza, the traditional 'Fires' of San Vicente are held on 22 January. Nearby Atienza has the famous "Caballada" (Festival of Horses) every Pentecost Sunday. Hita holds a Medieval Festival of Hita during the first weekend of July.

There are many game reserves to be found in the rural environment which surrounds this Parador.
The hotel has sixty four twin bedded rooms, eight rooms with a double bed, five single rooms and four suites.

All the rooms have a private bathroom, a telephone, satellite television, TV canal plus, a safe and a mini bar.

The building has air conditioning and heating, a gift shop, sauna, a restaurant and a bar and meeting rooms. There are facilities for the disabled.

Pets are not allowed in the hotel.

Directions

The Castle of Siguenza 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 Siguenza; or at 136, at the turning for Alcolea, 20 km from Siguenza. The Parador is located at approximately 75 km from Guadalajara, the capital of the province.