The concept of Paradores is a symptom of what tourism means to the country. In short: it is a hotel chain managed entirely by the State. Among the Paradores closest to Madrid are some of the first ones that were conceived as such and occupy unique and historic buildings for various reasons, which has marked the path of the company until now.
Paradores was created in 1910 when José Canalejas, then president of the Council of Ministers, commissioned the Marquis of Vega-Inclán with the project to improve the country’s international image with the creation of these hotels in relevant historical buildings and sites.
1. Chinchón Parador
The former monastery of Nuestra Señora del Paraíso, founded by the first Lords of Chinchón in the 15th century, is now the Parador de Chinchón. It preserves the original cloister and staircase, and the original church , which is now deconsecrated and converted into a suite. The gardens and the convent’s orchard full of fruit trees are also maintained.
This building is in the center of the medieval village and has gone through many vicissitudes throughout its history. It became a center of humanist education, where Archduke Charles of Austria, pretender to the Spanish throne in the War of Succession (1700-1714) and future emperor of Germany, stayed. After the disentailment of 1842 it was used as a courthouse and prison.
📍 Calle los Huertos, 1 (Chinchón)
2. Parador de Alcalá de Henares
An impressive cloister crowns the Parador de Alcalá de Henares. It is located in a remodeled building inaugurated in 2009, which previously consisted of three convents-colleges built by Cardinal Cisneros in the 17th century. Although the first parador in the city was inaugurated in 1930 in the Hostería del Estudiante, which in 2018 was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and is now a regional food restaurant.
📍 Calle Colegios, 8 (Alcalá de Henares)
3. Cuenca Parador
Next to the Bridge of San Pablo and in front of the Hanging Houses is the Parador de Cuenca, which is in turn the former convent of San Pablo, built in 1523 by Canon Juan del Pozo in late Gothic Plateresque style located in the Hoz del Huécar.
The interior is a reflection of the city, a fusion of decorative tradition and contemporaneity. A good example is the old glazed cloister that now houses a masterpiece by the artist Julián Casado, the one entitled Malevich Series. Variations on the same structure. A nod to the Museum of Spanish abstract art in Cuenca.
📍 Subida a San Pablo, s/n (Cuenca)
4. Gredos Parador
Gredos is the first Parador, and one of the closest to Madrid. It was inaugurated by Alfonso XIII in 1928 and seeing the scenery offered by the summit of the Sierra de Gredos, it is easy to understand why it was chosen to start the Network here. This building, so Castilian and Herreriano, at the same time, was built from elements transferred from the manor house of Villacastín.
It also has its place in history as the place where the fathers of the Constitution met in early 1978 to draft the Magna Carta.
📍 AV-941, km. 10, Navarredonda de Gredos (Ávila)
5. Parador de la Granja
The Parador de la Granja, just an hour from Madrid, is, together with the palace, the other Encanto of this charming village. La Granja arises around the Royal Site and its Versailles gardens. Although it is in the middle of Castile, the reality is that its pastel buildings have little to do with the architecture of the Zone.
The parador occupies the former Casa de los Infantes that Charles III ordered to be built in the 18th century for his children. Going just to eat the typical beans (and sightseeing) is already worth it, but staying at the hotel and relaxing in your spa is the culmination of a small hedonistic getaway.
📍 Infantes Street, 3 (Real Sitio de San Ildefonso, Segovia)
6. Parador de Segovia
Segovia is the summary of many centuries of history condensed into a few kilometers and with buildings very representative of each era, but the parador is the modern touch among so much historical granite.
Located on the other side of the hill, the parador is surrounded by large gardens from which to contemplate the monumental city skyline. From here you can plan your route around key buildings without having to look at Google Maps.
📍 Carretera de Valladolid, s/n (Segovia)