Spain

What to do and what to see in Ciudad Rodrigo in 1 day, noble and loyal city

Ciudad Rodrigo is a beautiful city of Salamanca located very close to the border of Portugal, a fact that gave it strategic importance for centuries for the defense of the kingdoms of Spain.

It is worth going to Ciudad Rodrigo to admire all its buildings, its monuments, walk through its streets and enjoy its people and its gastronomy, being a very interesting excursion to do from Salamanca or from Extremadura.

Here we are going to tell you what to see in Ciudad Rodrigo and what to do to enjoy all its charms.

The best things to see in Ciudad Rodrigo

The Castle. Current Parador

What to see in Ciudad Rodrigo - CastleAs it could not be otherwise, as it is a key town due to its geographical location, we can visit a beautiful castle in Ciudad Rodrigo located next to some very well preserved walls that helped defend the town.

The Castle dates from the 16th century and was built by Enrique II of Castile, who was the first king of the Trastámara dynasty.

What stands out most of this beautiful castle is its homage tower from which you have beautiful views of the city and its surroundings, with the Águeda river at its feet and the bridges that cross it.

To go up to the homage tower you only have to pay an entrance fee of €1 but it is free if you are staying at the Parador de Turismo that currently houses the castle.

The Walls of Ciudad Rodrigo

What to do in Ciudad Rodrigo - BridgesThe walls that surround Ciudad Rodrigo predate the castle as they were built in the 12th century by order of Fernando II of León, although the bastions were added in the 16th century. It consists of 5 doors and its perimeter is about 2 kilometers.

It is also worth stopping to admire the boar found in the Plaza del Castillo. It is of Veton origin and is reminiscent of the Toros de Guisando.

We can now enter the historic center and visit Ciudad Rodrigo.

The Plaza Mayor of Ciudad Rodrigo

Ciudad Rodrigo - Plaza MayorIf you have started your tour in the Plaza del Castillo, you can easily go strolling to the beautiful Plaza Mayor, first admiring the Palacio de los Águila and its beautiful patio.

In the Plaza Mayor, its Town Hall stands out above all, in Renaissance style and built in the 16th century.

The Plaza Mayor is the liveliest place in Ciudad Rodrigo and where you can enjoy a well-deserved rest on one of its terraces or do your shopping in the many shops that surround the square and the adjacent streets. It is also a good place to taste some fried eggs with farinato, the most typical dish in the city.

Another very interesting building in the Plaza Mayor is the Casa del Primer Marqués de Cerralbo, also in Renaissance style and from the 16th century. For many it is the most beautiful palace in Ciudad Rodrigo.

The Chapel of Cerralbo

Ciudad Rodrigo - Cerralbo ChapelOur walk continues from the Plaza Mayor and we arrive at the beautiful Plaza del Buen Alcalde, a square that seems to have nothing to do with the rest of the city as it reminds you of an Andalusian patio thanks to its buildings with arcades and painted facades. in white.

Next to it is the famous Capilla de Cerralbo, which many confuse with the Cathedral due to its spectacular architecture and because it is next to it.

This chapel was built to be the pantheon of the Pacheco family after they refused to build it in the ambulatory of the Cathedral.

Its consecration was in the 17th century and it is of Herrerian style. During the War of Independence it was used as a powder keg for the French army that ended up exploding and causing serious damage that was restored.

The Cathedral of Santa Maria

Ciudad Rodrigo - CathedralAnd finally we come to one of the main monuments of Ciudad Rodrigo, the Cathedral of Santa María, built by Fernando II of León in the 12th century in Romanesque style, although it underwent various subsequent renovations.

Of its interior, the magnificent windows and its choir stand out, an authentic Plateresque masterpiece in which some surprising erotic elements make up the railing.

From its exterior, the Pórtico del Perdón and its tower stand out, from the 18th century, and which is the most visible construction in Ciudad Rodrigo.

You can find more information about what to see in Ciudad Rodrigo on its official tourism page.

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