Keep of the Castle of Enrique II

The castle of Ciudad Rodrigo was built by Henry II of Trastámara in the 14th century, after his war against Peter I the Cruel, whom the city had supported. It occupies the highest and steepest part of the walled enclosure, above a gorge of the River Águeda, which serves as its natural defence. In the 1920s it was a museum and a hotel, and since 1931 it has been a Parador Nacional. Without staying there you can climb the keep and stroll in the gardens: it is a short visit, of half an hour, with views over the river and the old town.

What you see

The keep has two cubic sections one above the other; the upper one is smaller and more modern. From the top you see the River Águeda, the Puente Mayor, of Roman origin, with the arches on the city side designed in the 18th century by Juan de Sagarbinaga, and the valley that opens towards Portugal. Inland, the rooftops of the old town and the cathedral tower. Close to the castle opens the Puerta de la Colada, restored in the 1990s, the city's most direct access to the river and the bridge.

Price and conditions

The climb up the keep and a stroll through the gardens cost €2; for €5 you also get a glass of wine and a tapa. On Mondays admission is free until 15:00. No fixed visiting hours are published: conditions are checked at the Parador's reception, at Plaza del Castillo 1, or on 923 460 150 and at [email protected]. As it is a working hotel, access may depend on what is on that day; ask before you go up.

Getting there

The castle is at the top of the walled enclosure, above the river, on the Plaza del Castillo. From the Plaza Mayor you walk there in a few minutes through the streets of the old town. The keep is reached by a staircase; with children, take them by the hand at the top. If you are spending the day, the tourist office at Plaza Mayor 27 gives the opening times of the other monuments.

To combine with

From the castle you can continue along the wall walk, which circles the city with views of the river. The cathedral is a few minutes away and the Plaza Mayor in the centre. If you want to eat without moving, the Parador restaurant is in the castle itself, and if you want to sleep inside, the Parador de Ciudad Rodrigo.