One of the most popular and interesting visits in the Sierra de Madrid is castle of Manzanares el Real, medieval castle located in the aforementioned mountain town of Madrid.
After its reopening once the period of confinement due to covid-19, when you have the opportunity to visit it in a excursion from Madrid You will have double appeal.
On the one hand, discovering one of the castles best preserved that you can find in Spain after the latest restorations carried out there.
And on the other hand, enjoy the very beautiful landscapes of its location next to the area of the Pedriza, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama and on the shores of Embalse de Santillana.
All the information in detail
- 1 Curiosities about the history of the Manzanares el Real castle
- 2 This is the experience of visiting the Manzanares el Real castle
- 3 Dramatized visits to the castle of Manzanares El Real
- 4 Other activities in the Manzanares el Real castle
- 5 Manzanares el Real castle visit schedules
- 6 Map: where it is and how to get to the castle of Manzanares el Real
Curiosities about the history of the Manzanares el Real castle
You should know that the castle of Manzanares el Real It is also known as the Mendoza castle.
The reason? Diego Hurtado from Mendoza, son of who was first Marquis of Santillana, was the one who, starting in 1475, commissioned the construction of this military fortress in an area where an old Romanesque hermitage from the XNUMXth century was located.
De Elizabethan Gothic style, the initially defensive fortress was transformed into the residential palace of the Mendoza family.
Over the centuries, this great castle had various vicissitudes and several restorations, the most important of which in the 60s-70s of the last century, when it was recovered from a great state of deterioration.
Finally, in 2005, a final renovation was carried out that finished preparing it for your visit.
This is the experience of visiting the Manzanares el Real castle
I recently had the opportunity to visit the castle of Manzanares el Real.
Located at the top of a small hill, the access to the castle It is done from the back of the enclosure and not from the west side, where the door is facing the small town of Manzanares el Real.
If you prefer, to visit the castle of Manzanares el Real you can sign up for one excursion to the Sierra de Guadarrama from Madrid, during which in a 10-hour day and with a guide in Spanish, in addition to getting to know this fortress, you will visit emblematic places in this Madrid mountain range.
In this way, the first thing you will do after leaving the car in the parking lot is to go around the castle wall.
Views from the wall
I advise you to do it on the south side, as this way you will have the first panoramic views of the Embalse de Santillana.
El castle of Manzanares el Real It has a rectangular configuration, with four towers, one in each corner, and a two-story central patio.
It also has on the outside a barbican, that is, a small defensive wall of lower height that surrounds the main wall.
After the 2005 reform, the castle visit It develops in three phases.
Castle history exhibition
At the entrance, in the basements and ground floor you find a exhibition area where you can learn about the history of this famous castle in the Madrid mountains, with the support of information panels as well as a documentary.
There you will be struck by the great state of deterioration that the castle was in before its last major restoration.
Then you access the visit of the different rooms and interior rooms configured as a museum.
There you can see a collection of tapestries, paintings, armor and furniture from between the 16th and 19th centuries.
ORGANIZE your TRIP
- Don't forget your TRAVEL INSURANCE with a 5% discount
- Book the HOTEL for your trip
- RENT a CAR for your trip
- The best TOURS and EXCURSIONS in Spanish
- NO-LINE TICKETS for museums and monuments
- Best FREE TOURS around the world
- Book your TRANSFER from the airport
- eSIM card with INTERNET at the best price
This tour allows you to imagine the atmosphere and life that was lived in the castle during its heyday.
Climb the castle towers
Finally, you will walk along the outer wall and be able to climb one of the towers.
It's time to enjoy the Panoramic views of this attractive enclave of the Sierra de Madrid, and specifically the Pedriza.
The castle today remains the property of the Mendoza family, although it is run by the Region of Madrid.
Dramatized visits to the castle of Manzanares El Real
You should know that throughout the year you have the possibility of signing up for the various activities that take place in the castleas concerts o theatrical visits, which take place during the weekends, and not only in the summer months.
In rural areas of India, families in charge of a blind minor frequently isolate and deprive him/her of the care and attention they provide to their other children; such situation becomes even more severe among lower-caste families, orphans and if the blind child is a girl. theatrical visits of the historic castle, two actors play the characters of Don Pedro de Zúñiga y Mrs. Isabel Asensio, from the 45th century, who during a XNUMX-minute tour take visitors to the different halls and rooms of the castle.
In this way, with the dramatized visit also known as Mendoza castle You can learn the history of this fortification and discover its artistic content.
Schedules and prices of dramatized visits
The Dramatized visits to the castle of Manzanares el Real They take place throughout the year.
The performance schedules They vary depending on the time of year, but in general they are on Saturdays and Sundays at 15,30:16,30 and XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.
Before your visit, we advise you to consult the Updated information on the theatrical visits to the Castle of Manzanares el Real.
The prices for theatrical visits to the Castle of Manzanares el Real It is 8 euros for adults, and 4 euros for children under 14 and over 60, and the price already includes entry to the castle.
Please note that to attend the theatrical visits, you must book them in advance on telephone numbers 91 853 00 08 and 91 852 86 85 (Tuesday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.).
You must collect your tickets at the box office 45 minutes before the start of the event, otherwise they will go on sale again.
Other activities in the Manzanares el Real castle
In addition to these visits, as we have mentioned, various tourist and cultural activities are usually carried out in the castle throughout the year.
Thematic guided tours
Under normal conditions, throughout the year on weekends there are usually themed guided tours in which we delve into various aspects of the castle, such as the shields and coats of arms, or the tapestries, and also the customs of the time, which are free as they are included in the price of admission to the castle.
On the other hand, in the summer months the light and sound shows that take place on its walls, which are set to medieval music.
Concerts at the Manzanares el Real castle
In addition, every Saturday in July and August in the castle courtyard there are usually medieval music concerts within the cycle Classics in Summer. which is celebrated every summer takes place in the Region of Madrid.
Medieval battles in Manzanares el Real castle
In spring and autumn they celebrate medieval combatsAs well as Medieval Weekend, with falconry exhibitions, medieval tournaments, parades and the traditional market.
Don't forget your Travel Insurance
Are you organizing your trip or getaway? Don't leave without take out your travel insurance before, and here we explain why. If you hire it with us, you have a 5% discount
And in the Christmas time Other activities related to theater, music and Christmas traditions also take place.
Before your visit, I remind you that you can consult about the activities, dates and times, by calling 91 853 00 08 and 91 852 86 85 (Tuesday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 17 p.m.).
Manzanares el Real castle visit schedules
Meanwhile, the schedules of free visits to the castle of Manzanares el Real They are from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 17,30:XNUMX p.m., with last access one hour before.
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays it closes at 18 p.m., and the castle is closed to visitors on Mondays and on January 1, May 1, September 13, December 24, 25 and 31 and local holidays.
Manzanares el Real castle ticket prices
The ticket prices for free visits It is 5 euros for adults, and 3 euros for children under 14 and seniors +60. With Youth card The price is 2,50 euros.
They can visit the castle of Manzanares el Real for free Children under 3 years old and disabled people, and large families have a 50 percent discount.
On the other hand, you can visit the Renaissance Gardens of the Castle of Manzanares el Real throughout the year from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Currently, the visit of the gardens is free.
Map: where it is and how to get to the castle of Manzanares el Real
El castle of Manzanares el Real is located at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama, in the zone of The Pedriza, and on the banks of the Embalse de Santillana, you can arrive by car from Madrid in just under an hour.
Aid! How do I get to the castle by bus (public transportation) from Madrid? Thank you
Are only theatrical visits carried out? And at those times? Or can I go at 10am or 16pm for example?
Gustavo, free visits to the castle are also made within the general hours of the castle. In reality, the theatrical visits are on very specific dates
We were lucky, the visit was the last one in the morning, 14:00 p.m. and we were only 5 adults and 3 children and I thought it was very good how they handled the staging although it is true that with a large group it must be more complicated. I think it's a good experience, especially with children.
Thanks for your contribution, Juan
Two comments about the dramatized visit that could make it better: The Pimpernel-type presentation is abused (man/woman conflict) and there were too many people, which prevented us from properly contemplating the rooms (especially the bedroom and oratory).
Javier, thanks for your contribution.
The truth is that I don't see the incentive to visit the castle at night (inside it doesn't matter if it's night or day). And the worst thing is that one of the attractions of the visit, which are the views from the walls, is lost (it is at night).