Ciudad Rodrigo

Ciudad Rodrigo has six antique gates: the washing gate, which carries storm water to the river, that of the sun, that goes directly down from Plaza Mayor, the Santiago, the Conde, the Amayuelas and the Santa Cruz. Some exquisite, others more humble, all give access along thick mile long walls rebuilt in the eighteenth century to the village.

Walking through its cobbled streets, dark and silent, where the sun only enters at midday; others wide, inundated with light and sounds one cannot help but think that Ciudad Rodrigo is a wonderful architectural gem. Brilliantly carved honey-coloured stone, facades and escutcheons, towers and domes, become visible on building fronts of beautiful palaces' like that of Castro, the Águila or the Vazquez.

We had a great experience in Ciudad Rodrigo, with this small company called Active Tourism. We were a bit scared to be doing water activities in the cold of winter, but it turned out to be fine as we wore wetsuits, and so didn't notice anything. The monitor took pictures of us during the tour, which you can see here, and they are worth a thousand words. hahaha.

Being mirobrigense, Ciudad Rodrigo gentile as in Roman times it was called Miróbriga, I think it's easy to love this city.

I advise a walk through the historic centre using any one of its gates, through its vaults entering a framework of stone streets filled with history, stately homes of which some you’ll be able to see inside: the Palacio de los Águila (Eagle Palace) Palacio de Montarco- now a restaurant or the Casa de los Vasquez, now the headquarters for the Post Office, among others things.

A walk alongside the wall (2.1 km total length, with several access points) between the Parador (luxury hotel) and the Puerta del Sol, or the Puerta del Sol and the Cathedral passing by the registry, is a great way to get to know and define Ciudad Rodrigo both inside the old town and out. One of children's amusements in Ciudad Rodrigo, at least in my years, was to jump from merlon to merlon, with the consequent mothers’ disgust if there was a slip ... :)

Other outstanding buildings that are a must on a visit are the Cathedral, the Parador and the Plaza Mayor with the town hall. There are also many churches in the centre such as the huge Cerralbo whom "makes a shadow" for the Cathedral, San Isidoro, St. Augustine or the Third Order.