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| Towers of Sigüenza Cathedral |
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Once in Sigüenza there is nothing more to do that just stroll around in the medieval street discovering palaces, abandoned ruin houses, with the must stops in the Doncel House, the fantastic Diocesan Museum of antique art, the Santa Maria Cathedral of Sigüenza where several styles like romanic, baroque and gothic live together and where inside is a must to see the Doncel chapel where you can see one of jewels of the funeral of all the times.
Then is time to climb one of the street that go to the Castle, today a fantastic Parador where the best way to explore it or discover is staying in, unfortunately if you are not a guest little you can do more than be fascinated with the outside walls and enjoy a coffee in the interior gardens, but if you can book a room you will discover fantastic saloons and even a very charming chapel.
Also from the Castle you will have great views over the town, but even in Sigüenza every corner is history and full of charming corner even better to appreciate are the colours of the surrounding hills and smell of the pine forest of the near natural park.
Also before to leave will be a nice idea going to shop to the commercial street Cardenal Mendoza for get some of the best products in the little supermarket or in the butchery, Alcarria honey is just delicious like the cheeses and the pastry and sweets product of the Monastery located in the Paseo de la Alameda street.
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Also before to leave will be a nice idea going to shop to the commercial street Cardenal Mendoza for get some of the best products in the little supermarket or in the butchery, Alcarria honey is just delicious like the cheeses and the pastry and sweets product of the Monastery located in the Paseo de la Alameda street.
Where to Stay and Eat
Parador Sigüenza.
This was my first experience of a Spanish Parador (Spanish luxury hotels run for the state in historical buildings). In Sigüenza the Parador is located in an ancient Castle from the 12th century with a commanding view of the town.
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| Views from our balcony |
We arrived earlier than expected and our room was not ready so we decided to take a snack of fried eggs and chips and a tuna sandwich with some local red wine-simple and delicious. We returned to reception to get our room key to discover that we had been upgraded to a suite with a large balcony overlooking the countryside and the pine forest, in the night the silence is imposing
The room was very elegant with antique furnishings and a huge 4 poster bed with red velvet hangings. The bathroom was well appointed with a luxury jacuzzi bath.
The public areas of this Parador were just waiting to be explored and we discovered a chapel which we viewed from a first floor tiny doorway. The chapel had motion detectors which lit up the room momentarily which was a great surprise.
The other public rooms were equally impressive and we took dinner in the restaurant that evening.
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We had various dishes including a typical Spanish shepherds dish Migas (see video min. 10) made with stale bread and garlic served with the best local products in the area followed by lamb kebab with potatoes and green vegetables in a filo pastry, lamb is very tasty and traditional in the area, but here was served with a distinctive Moorish touch, the another main dish was duck breast with celeriac mash, a bit up to the north are founded the best Spanish duck farming. The Sigüenza area is not wine traditional but they are not too far from the improving Castilla y la Mancha denomination, our Tempranillo Señorio deGuadianeja with cherry colour and soft to taste in the mouth was a great companion for our meat.
Service was attentive and the food was of very good quality and well presented.
A lot of time and money has been spent on refurbishing this Castle and I look forward to staying here again.
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| Hostal Doña Blanca stove and hall room |
We were unable to see the bedrooms but the public space was spectacular with a revolving wood burning stove as its centrepiece.
Serious money has been spent on fixtures and fittings and where possible reclaimed wood has been used to dramatic effect. The overall decoration is in white which creates a spacious and light feel to the main public area. If you want spend less and have exiting boutique experience this is your place!
Calle Major Restaurant
Situated in the medieval town of Sigüenza the Calle Mayor restaurant offers superb food in elegant surroundings where the food and service were superb.
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| Calle Mayor dinning room |
To start we had artichokes stuffed with prawns and mushrooms croquettes. The flavour of both these dishes was amazing and the artichokes were the best I have ever tasted without being overpowered by the prawns resulting in a very delicate flavour combination
As a main course we had two meat dishes, a well-cooked steak served with homemade crisps and kid goat also with homemade crisps. Kid goat is another speciality in Castilla-La Mancha and is a must try .This was washed down with a couple of glasses of Castilla- La Mancha red wine recommended by the house.
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These dishes sound simple but often simple dishes are the best and these were excellent.
A dessert of apple tarte tatin served with the famous and tasty Alcarria honey completed an amazing meal. This restaurant well deserves the accolades it has received by numerous companies including Michelin.
For tapas The Gurugu Tavern since S.XVII a charming and weird place at the same time specialised in mushrooms tapas from Spain and around the world. They also host art exhibitions.
For afternoon cakes and guilty breakfast Atrio cake shop just opposite the Cathedral offer a wide range of local delicatessen to die for!!
Tips:
*Check for the Medieval train Madrid-Sigüenza.
*In spring the local decorate their balconies with flowers.
*Check for the Medieval train Madrid-Sigüenza.
*In spring the local decorate their balconies with flowers.
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