Sigüenza Castle

Sigüenza Castle has foundations dating to the 5th century, expanded by the Moors and reconquered for the Christians by Bernardo de Agén in 1123, who rebuilt the fortress as the castle-palace of the bishops of Sigüenza in 1124. For seven centuries, this fortress served as the residence of the warrior-bishops who governed the city — kings, cardinals, and bishops all resided here.

In the 15th century it served as a refuge during the war of the Infantes of Aragón. In the late 18th century, Bishop Juan Díaz de la Guerra transformed its appearance from fortress to episcopal palace, adding windows and balconies. It suffered serious damage during the Carlist Wars and was left in ruins after the Spanish Civil War; it was rebuilt in the 1970s and is today a Parador.

Today its large rooms sit within the historic castle, with the small windows typical of the original building — several guest reviews note that, despite this, the rooms do not feel claustrophobic. The rooms are notably quiet.

The castle's seven-century role as the residence of Sigüenza's warrior-bishops — a class of clergy who also held direct temporal and military authority — gives the property an unusually dual religious-military character.

The fortress's transformation from military stronghold to episcopal palace in the late 18th century, followed by near-total ruin after the Spanish Civil War and a 1970s rebuild, traces a dramatic arc of damage and recovery spanning two centuries.

The castle's position at the heart of Sigüenza, one of Guadalajara province's most historic towns, gives guests staying here easy access to the city's cathedral and old quarter.