Coastal destinations overshadow the inland villages hidden in the ancient kingdom of Castile. However, these small territories sometimes preserve architectural heritage of great value, a sign of the region’s fascinating past. This is the case of Pedraza, a Segovian town full of medieval treasures and stone houses. An ideal place to disconnect from the capital, just an hour and a half drive away.
According to National Geographic, December is the best time of the year to visit Pedraza. And the fact is that Christmas here -unlike in Madrid- is synonymous with snow in the streets. Because of its location in the mountains, the town is prone to this meteorological phenomenon so welcome at this time of the year.
Pedraza, an ancient wool village
Although it has been discovered that the first settlements in Pedraza date back to the 4th century B.C., it was not until the Modern Age when the town enjoyed its golden age. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the town became a reference place to buy Castilian wool, its star product (at that time half of Europe was weaving with this material).
The export of Merino sheep wool boosted the local economy: palaces and houses were built for noblemen that are still preserved today. The architectural ensemble of Pedraza, for its beauty and perfect condition, put the town in the spotlight in 2019, when Castilla y León TV considered the town as the most beautiful of the entire autonomous community.
The best of Pedraza: cobblestone streets and stately homes.
The Puerta de la Villa, the only access road to the town, is the first indication of the leap in time that we are going to take as soon as we cross it. On the exterior façade, the coat of arms of the Fernández de Velasco family bears witness to the dominion of this family over Pedraza for four centuries. Leaving it, we see a medieval prison, with dungeons known for the terrible treatment that prisoners received there.
Turning onto Calle Real we arrive at the Plaza Mayor, an essential destination on a first visit to the town. Here we find palaces with coats of arms of noble families and stately homes, some converted into restaurants. It is home to one of the best places to eat in Pedraza: El Soportal, famous for its traditional lamb roasted in a wood-fired oven.
The Calle Mayor, with small stores, inns and old facades, is the ideal place to start a tour to the castle of Pedraza, a historic fortress built in the thirteenth century and completely renovated by the Fernández de Velasco family three centuries later. In 1926, the famous painter Zuloaga took possession of the castle, which is why today it is a museum of the Basque artist (it can be visited from Wednesday to Sunday).
It is worth crossing the Community of Madrid to the small Segovian village and enjoy a snowy landscape of film. Yes, it has been the setting for series such as Águila Roja and Tierra de Lobos, among other cinematographic works.