Route 1 West. Section 1 - Ciudad Rodrigo
The rich heritage dating back to the 15th and 16th century that lies inside its walls has earned it the status of an Asset of Cultural Interest and a Historic and Artistic Monument. Indeed, the wall encloses magnificent civil and religious buildings, highlights of which include the cathedral and castle. The site of struggles between Christians and Jews, it owes its name to Count Rodrigo González Girón, who repopulated it in the year 1100.
This strategic, fortified location was the site of battles during the War of the Spanish Succession (1700-1714) and the Peninsular War (1808-1814), which were decisive in shaping modern-day Spain. Access to the castle and its keep, which today houses the city’s Parador-Hotel, is via La Colada Gate.
Reference to content
What to see?
Castle of Ciudad RodrigoMore informationThe artillery barrier that surrounds the castle was built in the early 16th century. Its construction may be attributed to the Castilian king Enrique II. There was a previous castle in this strategic post...
Cathedral of Ciudad RodrigoMore informationIt is a cathedral full of masterpieces. The Portico del Perdón alone contains more than 400 Romanesque and Gothic sculptures of great beauty. Although it began in the 12th century, the work continued to...
Cerralbo Chapel or Church of Cardinal PachecoMore informationFounded by the Cardinal Francisco de Toledo y Pacheco, Ambassador in Rome, Viceroy of Naples and Archbishop of Burgos, is a magnificent mausoleum from the end of the XVI century which was made by the architect...
Monastery of San FranciscoMore informationPart of the 13th century temple remains with a central nave and three sided main chapel, adjacent chapels, monks' quarters (bodega, infirmary and novice area) and two Cloisters.The present remains correspond...
Monastery of the CaridadMore informationIt was known to have existed in the 13th century although nothing remains from that era.It belonged to the Order of the Premostratenses and the oldest part of its architecture dates from the 16th century.
Palace of the Castro / Palace of the Condes de MontarcoMore informationPalace with a gothic-plateresque façade, its name comes from Don Tomás de Castro, whom it belonged to in the mid 18th century.On the façade the most impressive artefact is the main shield framed on either...
Palace of the Principe de Melito / House of the Aguilas or of the Marques de Altares (Ciudad Rodrigo)More informationResidence of Don Iñigo de Mendoza, Marquis of Almenara and Viceroy of Aragón. Its facade reflects two periods: the 16th century and the rest the 17th century, all in rubble and there is a window in the...
Town hall of Ciudad RodrigoMore informationBuilt in two different eras, the front part of the building in the first half of the 16th century and in 1923 the side additions.Delimited by two small towers, it has a portal and a gallery with arches...
