Town Jail (Cárcel de la Villa)

The Puerta de la Villa is the only entrance and exit of Pedraza. It was a defensive tower and, until 1890, a jail. Today the Fundación Villa de Pedraza maintains it and shows it with a short guided visit, which tells the curiosities of the building and of those who passed through it over the centuries. It opened to the public on 1 April 1994 and, according to the Foundation, about 500,000 people have visited it since.

The building

The gate doors are of black poplar wood, and outside it displays the coat of arms of the Fernández de Velasco family, lords of the town for four centuries. A recent restoration brought to light its Mudéjar style, which was hidden under a coat of plaster, and decorative sgraffito on both sides. It is, as the Foundation says, an outstanding building: the first you see on arrival and the one that marks where the walled enclosure begins. With the collaboration of the Segovian historian Luciano Municio Gómez, the Foundation has promoted some of the best studies of the history of Pedraza.

The visit

The visit is always guided. Tours leave every 30 minutes and last about 20. It is short, so it fits well on arriving in the village, before climbing to the Plaza Mayor. It is suitable for families; bear in mind that you walk through an old building and that the explanation is oral, with the guide.

Hours and price

According to the Foundation, it is open every day from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:30, although the hours may change from Tuesday to Friday. It is closed on Mondays, except in August and on public holidays or long-weekend Mondays, when it closes on the nearest working day, and also on 1 January, 9 September and 25 December. Other hours, by prior arrangement. General admission costs €6, and the reduced rate, €4, for pensioners, large families and people with a disability of 33% or more. Under-6s do not pay. You can pay by card. Information and bookings: 921 509 960, or on the mobiles 666 796 538 and 699 495 073. The November 2026 timetable sheet from the Segovia Tourist Office and the Town Council website still give a rate of €4 and closing at 19:00, so confirm when you call.

Getting there and what to combine

Park in the village car park, next to the hermitage of San Pedro, and walk up to the Puerta de la Villa. From here continue on the walk around the walled town to the castle, or join the tourist office guided tour for the full history of the town.