Castle of Manzanares el Real
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Castle of Manzanares el Real - by Jesus Sanchez on Google
Description
The Castle of Manzanares el Real was built in the 15th century in the namesake town, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, about 50km north of Madrid. It served as the residential place for the House of Mendoza (hence its alternative name of Castle of los Mendoza) and now houses a collection of tapestries and a museum of Spanish castles. The structure is made entirely of granite in Isabelline Gothic style with four towers (one of which is hexagonal) at each of its corners. The defensive features have been wonderfully preserved (with an extensive renovation in the 1960's) and its first-floor Gothic gallery is deemed to be one of the best examples in Spanish military architecture.
Access & Transport
Address: calle Cañada s/n, 28410 Manzanares El Real By car from Madrid, head north on the M-607 until Colmenar Viejo and then get on the M-609 followed by the M-608 westward. The journey is 50km long and should take 50-60' depending on traffic. By bus, line 724 from Plaza de Castilla (in Chamartín neighbourhood)
Instructions & Recommendations
This activity can easily be combined with the circular hike of La Pedriza that starts nearby for a full day out!
Environmental & Social
Environmentally neutral except for some electricity consumption (lighting and heating). This attraction helps preserve the region's architectural and cultural heritage and brings some economic influx to the village.
Conclusion
The Castle of los Mendoza is one of the best-preserved defensive castles in the region and we think it deserves up to 1h drive. It may feel overly restored but this does allow for a better appreciation of the architecture and what it may have feel like at the time (they were not building ruins to live in).
Key positive
Interesting exhibits / museum
Very well preserved / restored
Good views from the castle
Key negative
May not feel authentic enough for some
Suitability
Because this is a 15th century castle, most sections / floors are not accessible for visitors with reduced mobility
About this Rating
TYPE
Desktop
RESEARCHED IN
June 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 50m
est. visit time:1h 15m
Monday -
Tuesday10:00 - 17:30
Wednesday10:00 - 17:30
Thursday10:00 - 17:30
Friday10:00 - 17:30
Saturday10:00 - 18:00
Sunday10:00 - 18:00