A journey through time through the castles and wineries of Madrid
23 November, 2022In the Region of Madrid, we will always find beauty, gastronomy, traditions and countless activities to do. And amongst all the innumerable options, yet another is a journey through time through its castles and fortresses, delighting in the excellent wines produced in its cellars, through unique experiences which captivate visitors thanks to its natural environment, location and proximity to the capital. Because knowing the history through the vestiges of these fortifications, and the wine from its roots, means immersing oneself in a territory and its inhabitants’ culture and ways of life.
East Route of the castles
This unique itinerary discovers Andalusian “medinas” and “almudainas” built between the 9th and 13th centuries and a series of stately castles which were built as these lands were re-conquered from the Muslims between the 13th and 15th centuries. Many legends are hidden among these vestiges of an era when the constant struggles for power and the change of hands of the territory were forging a unique and unrepeatable history. This is now available for visitors to discover and enjoy.
The walled enclosure of Buitrago del Lozoya is the most unique and best preserved fortified complex in the Community of Madrid and was actually declared a national monument in 1931. For that reason alone, it is a must-see, as well as a great pleasure for tourists with cultural, historical, and architectural concerns. Its origin fades over time, it may be Muslim or Christian, we have never known for sure. The wall runs about 800m, the south side can be visited during restricted hours for a small fee, the rest can be explored freely.
Also noteworthy on this tour are the walls and Antiquarium of Alcalá de Henares. As regards the walled enclosure of Alcalá, today only the wall which surrounded the Archbishop's Palace is preserved. This encompasses a large area which helps us understand an intense history of over 800 years, when this place went from being a medieval fortress, a Renaissance palace, the General Archive of the Administration, to being the Museum of Antiquities of Alcalá and, above all, a symbol of the rich history of this Madrid city.
Another stop on this trip is the Castle of the Order of Santiago. The origin of this fortress is not clear but it seems that it could have been built around the 13th century on a Muslim watchtower. All that remains of this important Middle Ages fortress is the Tower of Homage and the foundations recovered thanks to archaeological excavations. From the tower, you can see the entire surrounding territory, at dusk the sunset over the paramos of the “plateau” of Madrid is quite a spectacle.
More information on the East Route
West Route of the castles
In this other itinerary, you can visit fortifications of iconic beauty which stimulate the imagination, evoking a past of struggles which lasted for centuries, such as one of the watchtowers that were part of the defensive system of the Omayyad caliphate (of the so-called “Marca Media”), whose function was to control the northern border. Or, also, a series of 15th century towers, without forgetting the stately fortress of Don Álvaro de Luna and the castles of the Mendoza family. Everything is at the disposal of a visitor eager for history and medieval adventures.
The Mendoza castle is the best preserved castle in the Community of Madrid, one of the “jewels” not only of Madrid's military architecture but of all the medieval architecture of the Kingdom of Castile. It stands on a hill in the municipality of Manzanares El Real which dominates the Sierra de Guadarrama. An architectural example of a society straddling two eras, the chivalrous Medieval with its defensive elements and the humanist Renaissance with its large halls, decorated facades and magnificent viewpoints, more like a palace, its construction began in the late 15th century. It has been the scene of great historical moments and a film set for international film productions. Currently, dramatised visits are made which recreate its history and its time.
It is also worth stopping off at the castle of Batres. This magnificent Renaissance castle, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1970. Its quadrangular plan is crowned by a splendid Tower of Homage. It is in a very good state of conservation which is why it is currently used for celebrations and events. It is located in an enchanting natural setting, with the Sotillo stream running through its domains and its gardens are a forest of Mediterranean and continental species where one loses the sense of time,
On this journey through time, we come across the castle of La Coracera. Built in 1434 by Don Álvaro de Luna, a patron of King Juan II, apparently on top of a previous smaller defensive construction, Queen Isabella the Catholic lived in this castle when she was proclaimed heiress to the Crown of Castile in the well-known Jura de Guisando . In a very good state of conservation, around the Patio de Armas, the chapel and the cellar stand out. A wine bar has been opened in the castle which is the headquarters of the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin Vinos de Madrid, where you can taste some of its exquisite wines.
More information on the West Route
Wine route
The Denomination of Origin Vinos de Madrid has 8,528 hectares of registered vineyards spread over 12,387 plots, divided into four wine-growing areas: San Martín de Valdeiglesias, Navalcarnero, Arganda and El Molar. This D.O. of the wines of the Community of Madrid has existed since 1990 and guarantees the quality of the wines produced in the region.
You can choose between 6 cultural wine itineraries throughout the four sections or sub-areas of the region, enjoy an experience in the wineries that can be visited in a group or with friends, or enjoy a tasting under the stars. The tastings always include a gastronomic part; for example, with a pairing of the excellent cheeses produced in Greater Madrid. A delight for the palate and the senses.