Siguenza

Siguenza climbs a hillside in the Henares valley, and the cathedral at its centre is unusual in being built as a fortress: begun in 1124 shortly after the town was taken from Muslim rule, it has crenellated towers, arrow slits and thick walls, and it took four centuries to complete, so it runs from Romanesque through Gothic to Renaissance work. Inside is the funerary sculpture of Martin Vazquez de Arce, the Doncel, a young nobleman shown reclining and reading rather than in prayer, carved around 1490 and one of the best-known Spanish tomb figures. The castle above, of Muslim origin and rebuilt as an episcopal palace, is now a parador. Between them run stepped medieval streets and an arcaded plaza.

What you actually see

• The fortified cathedral - a crenellated church with arrow slits and towers.
• The Doncel tomb - a reclining knight reading, carved around 1490.
• The castle parador - a Muslim-origin fortress rebuilt as a hotel.
• The medieval streets - stepped lanes between the cathedral and castle.

When to go

April to June and September to November; Siguenza sits high and winters are cold, summers hot. The cathedral keeps a long midday closure and parts are seen only on guided visits.

Honest expectations

The Doncel chapel and several cathedral areas require a guided visit at set times. The climb to the castle is steep. The town is small and quiet outside weekends, with limited services.

Nearby

The Alto Tajo park lies northeast; Atienza and Molina de Aragon are in the same highlands.