Pedraza Castle and Ignacio Zuloaga Museum

The castle closes Pedraza to the west, at about 1,060 metres above sea level, at the end of calle Mayor. It was home to the Constables of Castile for centuries and the sons of King Francis I of France were held prisoner in it. In 1925 it was bought by the painter Ignacio Zuloaga, from Eibar, who rescued its ruins and turned it into a painting studio and family home. Today it is visited as the Gran Castillo de Pedraza, with a self-guided visit and audioguide.

The history

The castle presents itself as a 13th-century fortress, Romanesque in origin, which enjoyed its best period in the 16th and 17th centuries. It also gathers traditions some historians maintain, such as that Emperor Trajan was born in Pedraza, and legends such as that of the lovers Elvira and Roberto, which form part of the visit along with the house's "ghosts". According to the Town Council, the church of Santa María, next to the castle, was bought by the Zuloaga family in 1925 together with the fortress.

What you see and how the visit works

The visit takes in the castle, its courtyards and its rooms. It is self-guided, with a free audioguide in Spanish and English that you listen to on your phone by scanning a QR code after buying your ticket; bring headphones if you do not want to disturb others. Allow about 40 minutes. Groups of 20 people or more can ask for a guided visit at the ticket office. The website does not publish accessibility information; if you have reduced mobility, call beforehand. You can enter with a dog, always on a non-extendable lead, and eating and drinking inside is not allowed. The castle also offers a picnic basket you can reserve, with cold beer and snacks.

The Town Council website still describes the previous visit, guided by the Fundación Museo Ignacio Zuloaga, with the museum in the north tower and works by the painter, at €8. The castle's current website and the November 2026 timetable sheet from the Segovia Tourist Office already show the new hours and the new price, but do not mention Zuloaga works on display: if that is what interests you, ask beforehand.

Hours and tickets

In winter it is open Monday to Friday from 10:30 to 14:30 and from 15:30 to 19:00, Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00; the Tourist Office sheet gives Saturday from 10:00 to 14:30 and from 15:30 to 20:30. General admission costs €6; reduced, €5, for pensioners, large families and people with a disability of more than 33%. Under-5s do not pay. You buy it on the website or at the ticket office on the day, in cash or, better, by card. Phones: 921 524 548 and 690 683 567.

Getting there and what to combine

Park in the village car park and walk in through the Puerta de la Villa; from the Plaza Mayor to the castle it is 3 to 5 minutes' walk along calle Mayor. On the nights of the Candle Concerts, a castle ticket does not guarantee access to the village. Combine it with the Town Jail and the walk around the walled town.