What to see and do in Escalona (Toledo): castle and medieval wall

Located on a promontory that dominates the course of the Alberche river, Staggered It is one of the most interesting historical towns in the province of Toledo.

Its monumental appeal is the result of a long history in which it played an important role for several centuries.

El castle and Wall They are the most obvious memories of this glorious past.

Staggered It is also known for the river beaches that border the hostel as it passes through the population.

These bathing areas They are very frequented in summer by residents and also by hikers from Madrid, since it is located just 90 kilometers from the capital.

Curiosities history Escalona in Toledo

It can be said that the history of Escalona It started almost a thousand years ago.

In the 11th century this region was conquered by Alfonso VI in their advance towards Toledo.

For a couple of centuries the Tagus Valley It was a border land so strategic places had to be well fortified.

Staggered was one of the most important during the Middle Ages.

In the 13th century, Staggered was delivered to Infante Don Manuel, brother of King Alfonso X the Wise.

Here the infant's most famous son was born, Don Juan Manuel, one of the most important writers of medieval Castilian literature, known above all for his work Count Lucanor.

But in addition to its literary aspect, Don Juan Manuel He had a very prominent activity in the politics of the time.

Staggered returned to the power of king of castile, and in the middle of the 15th century, Juan II he donated it to Don Alvaro de Luna, constable of Castile, who made it the capital of the most important manor in the kingdom.

The first marquises of Villena they continued to do Escalona palace one of the centers of power in Castile.

Over time, this region stopped having so much political importance and was somewhat relegated to oblivion.

What to see and do when visiting Escalona in Toledo

At present, a visit to Escalona It has something of a discovery from a bygone era.

And on hot days this tour through history can be combined with a rest cooling off in the Alberche beaches.

Castle of Escalona

Upon arriving at StaggeredThe first thing that catches your attention is the castle that dominates the surroundings.

It is a complex work of military art so well built that it was never conquered, even though it suffered several sieges.

On the one hand, it takes advantage of the vertical drop of the cliff where it stands.

On the part of the gentlest slope, the strength It has a very strong wall and a series of albarran towers which were a good defense system at that time.

There is also a second defensive ring with a lower wall and a very deep pit. The entrance was closed with a drawbridge.

El palace which is located inside the castle is private property and cannot be visited.

Medieval wall of Escalona

In front of the castle, on the other side of the access road to Escalona, ​​is the historic town of Escalona.

It still retains much of its medieval wall with some of its doors, and it is said that the layout of the streets follows the same design since the end of the Middle Ages.

Arch of San Miguel in Escalona

Of all the entrances, the most attractive is that of the Arch of Saint Michael.

It opens at the point where the wall was highest and thickest, which is because it is located in the flattest part and, therefore, the one that had to be best defended.

Now it has disappeared, but in front of the door there was a structure with three arches that reinforced the defense and added a point of ostentation and representativeness.

On the wall, above the arch of the gate, stands the tower of St. Michael's church, which makes this wall canvas something truly unusual and attractive.

Church of San Vicente in Escalona

Passing through the gate, which is actually a short tunnel due to the thickness of the wall, you reach the church of San Vicente.

It is the most prominent of Staggered, although not as imposing as we could imagine taking into account the historical importance of the town and the series of lords who lived in the castle.

This is because, in the early days, Staggered It was organized into four neighborhoods, so it had four small churches instead of one large one.

At some point it was intended to build a large collegiate church that would be at the height of the manor, but the works were abandoned very soon and now only one of the four original temples remains.

However, it is advisable to completely surround the church and note that its four sides are completely different, the result of continuous expansions made over time.

From here it is convenient to walk aimlessly through the alleys.

Plaza del Infante Don Juan Manuel in Escalona

In reality, the historic center is so small that we will always find any place we are looking for.

If we continue straight ahead, as we cross the gate in the wall, we will end up reaching the Plaza del Infante Don Juan Manuel, which is the center of life Staggered since the 15th century.

It is not a monumental square, but it is very interesting.

Several of the buildings still maintain their arcade supported on granite columns.

It is a reflection of the medieval architecture which thus provided protected places in the square to engage in commerce protected from inclement weather.

One of the sides of the square is occupied by the council house. Imposing columns with capitals stand out on its façade.

They belonged to the castle's courtyard, built by Don Alvaro de Luna, and were moved in the 19th century.

Lazarillo de Tormes in Escalona

In the square there is a painting on tiles which represents one of the most famous episodes of The guide of Tormes, which happens in this same place.

It is the deception of Lazarus to his abusive blind master, who makes him believe that he has to jump to save a stream, and what he does is hit one of the columns of the arcades.

It is the adventure that frees him from his first master and leads him to begin the series of adventures that the book narrates.

Continuing with the route you have to look for another piece of wall and, next to it, a gazebo from where you can see the good location chosen for the castle on the cliff that overlooks the Alberche and the plains that extend to the south.

A part of the river beaches and the riverside forest that flanks the river.

Literary route in Escalona

As you walk through the streets, some details stand out that should not be missed.

One is one literary route which can be followed thanks to some panels that remind us of different literary works related in some way to Staggered.

From the most obvious, such as Count Lucanor y The guide of Tormes, to the works of Alfonso X the Wise, St. Teresa of Jesus y Juan de Mena.

Mural Paintings in Escalona

Another aspect of Staggered that is difficult to ignore is that of the numerous mural paintings that appear on different walls and facades.

In them we find references to historical and literary episodes, but also a tribute to classic cinema and washerwomen, or a memory of the place that this population occupies in one of the Ways of Santiago.