How does one start a five week journey around Spain? Well, with a castle of course!
Well, I finally made it to Spain, fourteen months late. Stupid Covid. I was questioning whether the trip would happen or not until the day I left for the airport. Even on the trip, I had a feeling something would go wrong, but, alas, it did not. The trip went considerably well considering Omicron was just starting to go insane.
The plan: 36 days around Spain, 26 of which I would have a rental car. The original, original plan was to take public transport around for 4 weeks, with a one- or two-day trip to Morocco by ferry and a day trip to Gibraltar. Post Covid plan, remove Morocco and replace it with a day trip to Portugal and added a rental car. The final version, the rental car length got shortened a couple of days (rentals got more expensive after Covid descended upon us) and removed Portugal.
The plan had to further make accommodations for Covid and holiday closures. Somehow, I made it work. Most attractions were open (some with limited hours). Unfortunately, most churches were only randomly opened, but I still made the best of the situation.
Due to having a rental car (that I despised because it was annoying to park), I was able to move when I wanted and where I wanted without relying solely on public transportation. I saw so much more than I normally would have, and it was fantastic.
What was my first stop in Spain? A castle, of course!
Just north of Madrid, at the foot of the gorgeous Sierra de Guadarrama Mountain Range, is one of the best-preserved castles near Madrid. I randomly found this splendid castle playing around on Google Maps. After noticing it was on my way to Segovia, I just had to stop.
The New Castle of Manzanares el Real (Castillo nuevo de Manzanares el Real) is a classic late 15th century palace/fortress, built in the Romanesque-Mudejar style, a combination of standard European Romanesque and Mudejar, a unique Spanish style, influenced by Moorish designs, used by the Iberian Christians after the Reconquista began in the 9th century. Essentially, the Christians wanted the Muslims out, but really enjoyed their art and architecture, which in the end saved many Moorish buildings from destruction.
Just look at that castle. Isn’t it just perfect?
Work was begun on the castle in 1475 by Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Duke of the Infantado, a newly appointed peerage by the great Catholic monarchs. Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon. The castle, however, was only used as a palace for about a century. After the death of the Fourth Duke of Infantado, Íñigo López de Mendoza y Pimentel, in 1566, the grand castle was abandoned due to economic reasons and family squabbles.
Look at those towers and gatehouse and little details around the top! Such a fantastic castle!
The castle itself is just fantastic, a classic with turrets on top of its towers, which had really cool details. It has six floors and an inner courtyard, typical of Spanish palaces.
Heading inside the castle, through the gatehouse (technically a barbican, a fortified gatehouse). Soldiers would have used this space to defend the castle.
Lots of places to shoot arrows from.
A very impressive tower.
Even though this is technically a castle, that didn’t stop them from putting in a fancy courtyard that is common in large houses and palaces throughout Spain.
An interesting gang of friends hanging out in a tower.
A few rooms of the castle were decorated in period furniture.
I love the super intricate carvings on these pieces.
This is what is called a Ladies’ Dais. It is a recreation of a room where women of the castle, the noblewomen, their ladies-in-waiting, and the common folk who served them, would gather to spend the day entertaining each other with music, reading, games and complete handicrafts, such as sewing, painting, or embroidery.
I believe this would be a hall used for different activities.
Up the tower we go! (Note: these stairs are not original and may make you dizzy if taken too fast.)
A very fancy bedroom set and a period style gown.
There were some loggias (or covered balconies) looking out onto the landscape.
The residents of the castle would have seen a similar view, except for the lake, the Santillana Reservoir, which is man-made. There are also some pretty mountains on the other side of the castle.
Heading up to the top.
The town of Manzanares el Real.
Fancy on one side and plain on the other.
The courtyard from above.
A very pretty view of the mountains. They kind of remind me of the mountains around Las Vegas.
This section of the castle, an extension by the 2nd Duke of Infantado, was not finished. It would have contained the castle chapel and two ceremonial rooms for the family. On the top of the extension, an artillery platform was to be added for additional defense. I hope one day they can restore this unfinished section so it can be visited.
Down we go. A successful castle visit accomplished.
The Castle of Manzanares el Real was a fantastic first stop in Spain. The castle is located between Madrid and Segovia, in the foothills of the Sierra Guardarrama. While it is a small castle, it was a good last-minute addition to my trip and would be a good visit for any castle lover out there.
Check out my next update where I explore the wonderful city of Segovia!
