The province of Guadalajaradespite not being one of the most popular destinations in Spain, has a long list of wonderful places that are worth visiting. With unique natural landscapes or medieval buildings that have survived to this day. This is what we find in Palazuelosa small town that is popularly known as ‘Ávila Alcarreña’.
Located on the slopes of the Sierra Ministerthat is, to the north of the province and belonging to the municipality of Sigüenzawe find this small town that does not exceed 100 inhabitants. The town that is walled was declared as Historical-Artistic Ensemble and is part of the Don Quixote Routebut also the Camino de la Lana del Camino de Santiago.
What to see in Palazuelos
Palazuelos is one of the few medieval towns that are practically completely preserved. It is believed that in this area there were both Visigoth and Muslim presence. Although it had the status of a town, the rural exodus that occurred in the mid-20th century caused it to become a district of Sigüenza.
Perhaps one of the points of greatest interest are the walls. They were built in the 15th century as a continuation of the castle. It has two kilometers long in good condition. It must be remembered that at the end of the 20th century, after some very intense rains, part of them collapsed, although years later they were restored.
Four are the doors that gave access to the town, although only three of them have been preserved. All of them were built in thick towers with cubes at the corners and semicircular arches. Inside is one of the meeting points par excellence: the square. In the center there is a children’s playground with a picnic area and shaded areas to pass the heat in summer.
The church of Saint John the Baptist It is Renaissance style with a triangular belfry. Inside we find a baroque altarpiece with Solomonic style columns and a Mudejar style coffered ceiling. It is next to its side where the Priest’s Housewith carved wooden balconies and a shield with a vase of lilies, which is the symbol of the Bishopric of Sigüenza.
Outside the walls of Palazuelos we discovered the hermitage of the Virgin of Soledad dating back to the 16th century. It is said that it was surely built by the brothers of the Vera Cruz. It has a square floor plan with solid buttresses and a porch with columns. Furthermore, inside you can discover a carving of a recumbent Christ.
Furthermore, the fountain of the Seven Pipesthrough which hardly any water flows today, is another point of tourist interest. Its proximity to the source of the water makes it warm in winter and cold in summer. When leaving the Fountain Gate found the laundry room that is attached to the wall itself.