What to see in Atienza (Guadalajara), castle and medieval town

Located in the northern end of the province, very close to the border with Soria, start It is one of the most interesting towns that can be visited in a sightseeing trip through Guadalajara.

Furthermore, within a very short distance we will find many other very attractive places, so this corner of the Guadalajara province It can be a very suitable destination for a weekend getaway or even for a long weekend.

For example, just 30 kilometers away is Sigüenza, a wonder with a rich historical heritage, such as its cathedral, its castle, and a historic center full of attractive corners.

This path can be done directly or by taking some detours to discover small, little-known treasures.

Places to see near Atienza

In the same area we also find interesting destinations such as hita, Jadraque castle or Río Dulce Natural Park.

And, if we have time, we can also undertake the Sierra de Pela route, where we will find many of the best examples of Romanesque for the Guadalajara province, with churches and hermitages hidden in very small towns.

De start The first thing that stands out is its peculiar location, on a hill from where you can easily see the surroundings. For this reason, the place has been inhabited for many centuries.

Thus, the first vision that we will have when approaching along the road is that of the remains of the castle on a large rock that crowns a steep hill.

Curiosities of the history of Atienza

start It is described as “a very strong rock” in the Sing of Mío Cid and continues to respond perfectly to that description.

It is known that the Arevacan settlement of Tythia, which was conquered by Scipio in the same campaign as Numancia.

In any case, the splendor of start occurred during the Middle Ages.

The place was right on the border between the Castilian, Aragonese and Muslim kingdoms.

The town became an important commercial center from which the routes between the different territories were controlled.

Start on the Camino del Cid

The Camino del Cid and it is the place that marks the end of the route of exile to whom he condemned Alfonso VI a Rodrigo Diaz since at that time the southern slope of the Central System was under Muslim power.

In a time of permanent struggles, the residents of start They participated in 1162 in the liberation of Alfonso VIII, then a seven-year-old boy, who was taken out of the town among a group of muleteers.

The grateful king granted great privileges to Atienza.

This historical event is remembered in the Caballada, most popular festival in Atienza, which is celebrated on Sunday Pentecost.

It is one of the oldest popular festivals in Spain.

Atienza became the head of a village and land community, which was how the territories conquered from the Muslims south of the Duero were organized.

It was a very rich and very populated town. It is known that it once had 14 churches, but now we can only glimpse the remains of its past splendor.

What to see during Atienza's visit to Guadalajara

start It is a town on the rise. but very small, which is covered on foot so it is advisable to be prepared with good footwear.

Several of the interesting places are difficult to access for people with reduced mobility.

A quiet walk through its streets allows you to discover the numerous picturesque corners and monumental buildings that tell us about a town that once experienced great splendor.

In Atienza there are three museums, located in churches.

If we want to visit them, it is convenient to come during the weekend or on holidays, which are the only times when it is certain that we will find them open.

These museums are interesting for the pieces they exhibit, but also for the historical buildings that house them.

El historic center of Atienza is articulated around Double bed and spreads at the foot of the great rock that crowns the hill and where the remains of the castle.

Plaza de España in Atienza

No matter where we enter Atienza, we will soon reach the Plaza of Spain, which is a good place to start the visit.

It is the center of local life and here we find both the Town hall such as bars, the pharmacy and some bank offices.

It is a triangular and sloping square. In the center is the fountain of the Three Dolphins.

Among the important buildings in the square, the birthplace of Juan Bravo, important protagonist of the War of the Communities of Castile between 1520 and 1522.

Posada del Cordón in Atienza

Right at the beginning of one of the streets we find the tourist office, in the house known as the Cordon Inn, from the 15th century.

Here is the Interpretation Center of the Traditional Culture of the Province of Guadalajara.

At the other end of the square we will see a sloping street that leads to one of the most curious corners in all of Atienza.

Wheat Square in Atienza

This is the Arch of Saint John, which everyone calls Cloak Snatcher. Through it we cross the wall and reach the Wheat Square.

This square is a much more harmonious complex than the previous one and in fact is considered one of the most beautiful and traditional in the province of Guadalajara.

All houses have typical arcades of many Castilian towns.

The pillars of the arcades and the beams of the facades are visible and the entire square is a true display of traditional architecture.

Church of San Juan in Atienza

One side of the square is dominated by the large church of san juan.

It is Renaissance, from the 16th century, and with a very sober exterior appearance that almost resembles that of a fortress.

In addition to the old Casa del Cabildo, highlights a large house with a corner balcony.

If we take the street that comes out from under the balcony, we will immediately reach the Arch of the Virgin, another of the entrances that remain in the wall.

Trinity Museum, religious art in Atienza

From the square, the main street leads us to Trinity Museum. It is located in a church of considerable size and houses an important religious art collection.

In addition to paintings, sculptures and the altarpiece, a curious catafalque which is found in the choir part.

Here we leave the current urban area and go up the path of the Stations of the Cross towards the castle, at first skirting part of the wall.

Outside the walls remains the ancient Church of San Salvador, whose interior cannot be visited.

As we go up we will see the top of the tower of St. Mary's church. Around it is the cemetery.

Atienza Castle

But here the view is dominated by the large rock where the castle sits.

A path leads to the entrance, which is located at the opposite end of the rock. From this area there are good views of the town and the surrounding area.

The remains of the castle They can be visited freely at any time.

In the lower part of Atienza, near the access road that continues towards Berlanga de DueroIn Soria, there are many more interesting places.

Museum of Sacred Art of San Gil in Atienza

The first is Museum of Sacred Art of San Gil.

Of the primitive Romanesque layout, only the apse remains, but the whole is very interesting.

Many pieces that were previously in different churches in Atienza are preserved here.

There is also a curious collection of prehistoric and paleontological pieces coming from different places around the world.

Almost opposite, on the other side of the road, half hidden by some modern houses, are hidden the remains of a Gothic apse of a demolished church.

Museum of San Bartolome in Atienza

Later we find the Saint Bartholomew Museum.

The set of the Romanesque church and its porticoed gallery and the surrounding vegetation is very attractive. In addition to the works of religious art, this museum is famous for its great fossil collection.

In this part, a part of the second line of the walls, in the area that corresponded to the Jewish quarter.

About 500 meters further on, already outside the town, the hermitage of Santa María del Val.

Here the archivolt stands out in which ten figures appear that are known as the Mounties for the pirouettes they describe.

Map: how to get to Atienza

Atienza is located 156 kilometers, about two hours northeast of Madrid, and one hour from the city of Guadalajara.