Buitrago del Lozoya Wall and the Clock Tower

The River Lozoya surrounds Buitrago on three sides and the wall, about 800 metres long, closes the fourth. The tourist office calls it the most distinctive and best-preserved fortified complex in the Community of Madrid, and it has been a national monument since 1931. It is visited in two parts: the upper one, with a ticket, and the lower one, by the river, free.

A little history

The first wall, of rammed earth, was probably built by the Muslims or the first Christian settlers, between the 11th and 12th centuries. It was altered several times over the centuries, but always kept the same layout, which follows the meander of the river. Inside remain the church of Santa María del Castillo and the castle of the Mendoza family, which is now temporarily closed.

The upper wall: Clock Tower and siege weapons

The paid part is the southern or upper wall, with its wall-walk, the Clock Tower and an exhibition of medieval weapons and siege machines. You enter from Plaza de Angelines Paino, next to the church of Santa María del Castillo, and the ticket is bought beforehand at the tourist information point beside the staircase. Allow an hour at an easy pace.

• Price: €5 general; €4 reduced for over-65s, youth card holders and people with disabilities, with proof; free for under-10s and for holders of the residents' card.
• 1 April to 31 October: Tuesday to Friday, 11:30 to 13:45 and 16:15 to 17:45; Saturdays, 11:30 to 13:45 and 16:30 to 18:45; Sundays and public holidays, 11:30 to 13:45.
• 1 November to 31 March: Tuesday to Saturday, 11:30 to 13:45 and 16:15 to 17:45; Sundays and public holidays, 11:30 to 13:45.

It is closed on Mondays, as well as 1 and 6 January, 15 August, the local festivals in August and September and 24, 25 and 31 December. You cannot enter in the last quarter of an hour before closing.

If you prefer to have it explained, the town council organises the visit 'Two Millennia of Artillery', 1 h 15 min, on the weapons and siege machines, leaving from the information point next to the church: Fridays, Saturdays and eves of public holidays at 12:00 and 16:30, and Sundays and public holidays at 12:00, at the same prices.

The lower or river wall

It can be walked free and at any time. You climb by stairs from Calle Hospitalillo, near Plaza del Castillo, or from the Medieval Garden, at the northern end. It is the stretch seen from the Arrabal bridge and from the Ribera del Lozoya promenade, which has two viewpoints over the enclosure.

Getting there and parking

Buitrago is about 75 km from Madrid by the A-1, exit 74, and the 191 bus arrives from Plaza de Castilla. Cars of non-residents cannot enter the enclosure. Park free in the municipal car park on Calle Tahona, of about 65 spaces, next to the tourist office, or on Calle Puente Nuevo.

What to combine

The Picasso Museum, free, on the town hall square, fits into the same morning. For lunch inside the enclosure, the Asador Las Murallas; to sleep right against the walls, La Beltraneja.