Sigüenza has recently been raised with the symbolic title of Capital of Rural Tourism in 2017 granted by the Rural Escape portal, which organized a survey on the occasion of its tenth anniversary to find out which is the best rural destination in Spain this year.
After a month of voting, this Guadalajereña town won out over 269 other municipalities throughout the country, such as Elizondo in Navarra, Onís in Asturias or Leiro in Orense. But, what have been the reasons why Sigüenza has obtained this appointment?
We could point out several reasons why the town has been awarded as Capital of Rural Tourism 2017.
Monuments
In the first place Sigüenza is one of the best preserved medieval towns in Spain and one of the most beautiful. Some of the most outstanding monuments of this Guadalajereña town are:
Sigüenza Castle
It was built in the XNUMXth century with the aim of being a palace-fortress for the bishops who were lords of the city for seven hundred years.
Sigüenza castle has a rectangular floor plan. Its towers are of the same height and are topped by battlements that break the monotony of the construction. Over time, rooms were created for all kinds of activities and events, becoming one of the largest castles of the time. In its dependencies there were chapels, courts, courtrooms and prisons.
Its decline came from the XNUMXth century with the War of Independence and the Carlist Wars. Events such as the great fire that it suffered also contributed to its deterioration as well as the Spanish Civil War. In the middle of the XNUMXth century, Sigüenza Castle was practically destroyed and had to be completely restored following old plans of the building. At present it is the Parador de Turismo of the town.
The Crossbars
On a route through the old town, called the crossbars, you can also visit the church of Santiago, the church of San Vicente, the church of Santa María, the Casa del Doncel, the plazuela de la Cárcel, or the doors that led city through its walls: the Puerta de los Toriles, the Puerta del Sol, the Puerta de Hierro or the arch of the Portal Mayor.
Lower part of Sigüenza
In the lower part of the town you can visit the Ursulinas Convent, the Humilladero Hermitage, the San Roque Hermitage and the Clarisas Convent, where you can buy fantastic sweets.
Sigüenza Cathedral
The Cathedral of Sigüenza is an example of a temple-fortress created to admire and pray. This majestic temple is also a living museum of Romanesque, Cistercian, Gothic, Renaissance, Plateresque, Baroque, Neoclassical art ... Inside, the tomb of his Doncel stands out, a semi-recumbent alabaster sculpture made in honor of Don Martín Vázquez de Arce.
What is striking about this statue is that the usual iconography during the Middle Ages reserves books for the clergy, so its use in this case can be considered an innovation related to the increase in secular literature since the printing press was invented.
The works of this cathedral began in the XNUMXth century at the request of the first bishop and lord of Sigüenza, Don Bernardo Agén. The works were continued for another three hundred years, being completed in the XNUMXth century.
Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor in Sigüenza is one of the most beautiful arcaded squares in Spain. Formerly where the market was held, the most important event in daily life of the time. Today it houses the City Hall.
Rectangular in structure, on one side a porticoed gallery was built to shelter on rainy days. About she built housing for el Cabildo which se adorned with shields. On the other side we have a series of houses for nobles: the Casa del Mirador and the Casa de la Contaduría erected by Cardinal Mendoza at the end of the XNUMXth century.
Ecotourism
In the region there are three protected natural spaces: the Río Dulce Natural Park, the Río Salado Site of Community Interest and the Saladares del Río Salado Micro-Reserve. Likewise, the Gran Pinar is also a highly recommended place to go to spend a day surrounded by nature.
Gastronomy
Sigüenza is a land full of history and tradition, which is reflected in its rich gastronomy made with top quality products. Its culinary offer is top-notch and its roasts of kid or lamb, pickled trout, Castilian soup, game products, drunken sponge cakes or Yemas del Doncel stand out.