This is the experience of visiting the Manzanares el Real castle.

One of the most popular and interesting visits in the Sierra de Madrid is the castle of Manzanares el Real, an medieval castle located in the aforementioned mountain town of Madrid.

This visit to be made in a excursion from Madrid has a 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.

Why is Manzanares el Real Castle closed to visitors?

Now, since January 2025 it has been closed to the public as its property has been recovered by the Ducal House of Infantado.

This surprising situation has occurred after the transfer of said property for 60 years, being managed until now by the Region of Madrid.

Apparently, the legitimate owners' intention is to manage the visits directly, so until the situation is resolved, it is not possible to visit.

In view of when you can visit again, we are going to tell you some curiosities of its historyas well as a experience of our visit.

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.

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.

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 until its closure, throughout the year you had the possibility of signing up for various activities at the castleas the concerts o theatrical visits, which took place on weekends, and not just during the summer months.

In the theatrical visits of the historic castle, two actors played the characters of Don Pedro de Zúñiga y Mrs. Isabel Asensio, from the 45th century, who during a XNUMX-minute tour took visitors to the different halls and rooms of the castle.

In this way, with the dramatized visit also known as Mendoza castle I could learn about the history of this fortification and discover its artistic content.

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 used to be themed guided tours which delved into various aspects of the castle, such as the coats of arms and blazons, or the tapestries, and also the customs of the time, which were free as they were included in the price of admission to the castle.

On the other hand, in the summer months the following took place: light and sound shows which were held on its walls, which were accompanied by medieval music.

Concerts at the Manzanares el Real castle

In addition, every Saturday in July and August in the courtyard of the castle there used to be medieval music concerts within the cycle Classics in Summer. which takes place every summer in the Region of Madrid.

Medieval battles in Manzanares el Real castle

In spring and autumn they were celebrated medieval combats, as well as the Medieval Weekend, with falconry exhibitions, medieval tournaments, parades and the traditional market.

And in the Christmas time Other activities related to theatre, music and Christmas traditions also took place.

Visiting hours for Manzanares el Real Castle

For your information, the schedules of free visits to the castle of Manzanares el Real They were from Tuesday to Friday, from 10 a.m. to 17,30:XNUMX p.m., with last access one hour before.

The castle closed at 18 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, as well as on Mondays, January 1, May 1, September 13, December 24, 25, and 31, and on local holidays.

Manzanares el Real castle ticket prices

The ticket prices for free visits They were 5 euros for adults, and 3 euros for children under 14 and seniors +60.

could visit the castle of Manzanares el Real for free Children under 3 years of age, people with disabilities, and large families received a 50 percent discount.

On the other hand, The Renaissance Gardens of the Manzanares el Real Castle They could be visited free of charge throughout the year from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 19 p.m.

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.