What to see in Oropesa (Toledo) and how to visit its imposing castle

When traveling along the A-5 highway through the western part of the province of Toledo, very close to that of Caceres, it is difficult not to be surprised by the silhouette of the Oropesa Castle, which stands out clearly against the sky.

Many times we had admired that suggestive image that incites us to take a detour, but we were always traveling to some other destination and that is why we never stopped to see this attractive-looking town in the distance.

As normally happens, to fulfill our dream of climbing that slope crowned by a imposing castle and discover everything that surrounds it in the process, we decided to organize a getaway exclusively to this part of the province of Toledo.

Now we can say that it is an area that is really worth it.

Places to see in the Campana de Oropesa region

Oropesa It is the most prominent place, but in a weekend getaway It is possible to get to know this town and also visit other destinations such as Lagartera, The Archbishop's Bridge, the Azután Dolmen and the abandoned city of basques.

All of these places are within the Campana de Oropesa region.

It is a land conducive to discovery since it is not the best known area of ​​the province of Toledo.

Curiosities of the history of Oropesa

Oropesa stands on a height between the Tagus and Tiétar valleys in an area that had great strategic value, from where traffic between the Sierra de Gredos y Estremadura.

In this frontier land in the last centuries of the Middle Ages, a well fortified place had great value.

Here the ancestral house of the Álvarez de Toledo in the 14th century, and there are very notable traces of this family's passage through the history of Oropesa.

Since that time, Oropesa played a very important role in the entire western area of ​​the province of Toledo, partly because of the privileges granted the crown.

Oropesa It was one of the commercial centers of this part of Toledo since it had the privilege of organizing a large annual fair.

This economic boom was followed by the creation of several monasteries and other religious institutions, many of which still remain.

What to see when visiting Oropesa, our experience

From so many centuries of history there remains a rich heritage that well deserves to be known.

Once Oropesa, there is a tendency to go directly to the castle.

You will have to find a place to park and then dedicate yourself to getting to know the entire town on foot.

Oropesa Castle, now a National Parador

If we want to start big, it is best visit the castle, which is actually a set made up of several different constructions.

The entrance opens into an imposing facade of the new castle, started to build by a branch of the Alvarez de Toledo, later known as the counts of Oropesa.

On the right, as we look, it shows a curious octagonal structure.

The entrance is through a passage that leads directly to the Parade, a large square dominated by the tower of tribute. Few buildings will have such a spectacular entrance.

El new castle It is now occupied by a tourist hostel; in fact, we can remember that it was the first monumental building that became hostel.

This place was the setting for the 1957 film Pride and passion, starring none other than Sophia Loren, Cary Grant y Frank Sinatra.

A ramp allows you to climb to the top of the wall and the towers.

This part already corresponds to old castle, built by the Arabs between the 12th and 13th centuries on a Roman fortification.

La tower of tribute It is the tallest and most spectacular, and from the crenellated terrace at the top the view extends across the tietar valley to the summits of Gredos, which on clear days seem within reach.

Looking towards the historic center we can notice the large number of large historical buildings that are there. Oropesa, many of which correspond to churches and monasteries.

Visiting hours of Oropesa Castle

Los Visiting hours of the Oropesa castle in Toledo They are, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m. and from 16 p.m. to 18 p.m., and Sundays and holidays, only from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m.

Los Oropesa Castle ticket prices The general one is 3 euros, and the reduced one is 1,50 euros.

Guided tours of churches and monuments in Oropesa

Beyond the castle, if you want to visit the temples and monuments of Oropesa, you should know that they are closed most of the time.

To get to know them, it is best to sign up for a tour organized by Oropesa Tourist Office (c/ Hospital, 25; tel. 925 430 201).

In any case, all of them can be admired from the outside.

One of the most imposing religious monumental buildings is the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, from the 15th century, originally from plateresque style but later modified by later restorations.

Already from the 16th century it is Jesuit College, Renaissance and which had the privilege of being a University.

It is made up of several buildings, some closed for restoration works.

The one that is rehabilitated is the St. Bernard's Chapel.

It is curious that a temple of such dimensions is only a chapel, but this is because it was ordered to be built by Francis of Toledowhich was Viceroy of Peru, like his burial place.

Walking along Oropesa We are also going to find elements of a very different nature, such as some remains of the old wall y walls covered in different paintings.

Plaza del Navarro in Oropesa

At some point we will reach the Navarro Square, the center of social life.

Here highlights the Villa Clock Tower (which stands on an arch through which a street passes), the Town Hall and the old library, with the façade decorated with tiles.

Also, of course, in the square there are several bars and restaurants where we can take a break from our walk and try some of the local specialties.

In the square, the benches decorated with tiles and that remind us of the ceramist tradition of this region, with places as important as Talavera de la Reina y Archbishop's Bridge.

We can remember that the ceramic craft techniques of these two towns are registered on the list of Intangible Heritage of Humanity of the Unesco.

Beyond other convents, there are several historical buildings notable as the Old Town Hall, the Ceramic Museum and the Saint John the Baptist hospital (which now houses the tourist office).