Camino del Cid

Sigüenza

Senderos Borderlands

Thursday 18 May 2023

After walking about 100 km in the last 4 days we’re having a rest day in Sigüenza (pop 4,400; alt 1,000m), a compact medieval town located below its castle.

After the Arab conquest, the Muslims built a border military fortress on top of the rock that dominates the valley. It fell to the Christians in 1124. There’s a lot to see in a small area, the Tourist Information lists 30 Points of Interest in the old town.

Sigüenza streets are named according to their traditional activities
Castle of Sigüenza, created to serve as a palace-residence-fortress for the bishops who ruled the city for almost seven centuries
This was the main gate opened through the walls of Sigüenza in the 14th century
Taberna la Plazuela
An attractive street wanders down the hill
Uneven cobbled street
Baroque in style, the Hermitage of Vera Cruz
The Cathedral from across the Plaza Major
Bullet holes from Civil War on Cathedral tower around former sniper positions
In the 16th century a stone porticoed galley was built on the side of the Plaza Major to provide shelter on rainy days
Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral with the appearance of a defensive fortress began after Sigüenza was reconquered in the 12th century