History you can see and touch. History you can experience. Palaces, castles, fortresses, Renaissance art and medieval legends.....
I have become fascinated by this thing called a Parador of Spain.
Yes, I know ...... on the surface it seems like just another way to market a four star hotel, but once you've seen these places, you realise there is much more to them than that. Much, much more.
There are more than 80 Paradores in Spain providing hotel accommodation in castles, palaces, convents, monasteries, fortresses and other historic buildings that are part of the spectacular national heritage. Across the border in Portugal there are Pousadas - hotels in superb historical locations.
In Spain, the state maintains the building, and tries to locate a Parador in an area where it will not be in competition with the private sector - therefore, many are in smaller, medieval towns and villages first inhabited long ago.
The Spanish Paradors use the income they receive from the managing agent, Spain Hotels, to contribute to the upkeep of the buildings, and to help beautiful regions with few economic resources.
There is a website called "Routes Through Spain - Parador by Parador" with suggested routes, maps and locations. Inspirational.
Click here
The Parador of Hondaribbia, is located on the border with France, near San Sebastian.
The Parador of Carmona is about 60 km east of Seville, in Andalusia.
The parador is located in the Alcazar or palace of King Don Pedro. We suspect his other name was Pedro the Cruel.
The Parador of Granada is situated in the convent of San Francisco in the Alhambra.
This was the tomb of Queen Isabel the Catholic and King Ferdinand, 1504.
The Parador in historical Segovia, north of Madrid is not historical at all, but is built to resemble a fortified castle.
With fabulous views of Segovia outlined against a stormy sky.
The Parador of La Granja is located in a building that once housed the Queen's riding school. La Granja is a small town about 25 outside Segovia, with a large castle that was originally built to keep the king's children safe.
The Parador at Siguenza, north east of Madrid.
The parador is located in the castle of the bishops.
Corridors like this ran around three of the castle walls over two levels.
That's it!
I'm planning the next trip to Spain to visit more of these wonderful old buildings. I'll be including Salamander, Avila, Cuenca, Zamora and Leon. And I'll know a lot more about them next time I visit.
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