Jadraque: Castillo del Cid and holiday apartment

Castillo de Jadraque, also known as Castillo del Cid, stands on a hill in the Henares Valley. The Great Cardinal Mendoza transformed the Castillo into a Renaissance fortress with the character of a palace. A landscaped path along the outer perimeter of Castillo del Cid offers views of Jadraque and the Henares Valley.

Culture

The parish church of San Juan Bautista was built in the late 17th century in the Baroque style on the remains of a 13th-century Romanesque church. It houses the painting „Christ Recovering His Garments after the Flagellation“ by Francisco de Zurbarán, dating from 1661, as well as „Jesus Christ with the Cross on His Shoulders“ by Juan Bautista Maíno, dating from 1610.

The Saleta de Jovellanos houses landscape paintings by Jovellanos, executed in tempera on walls and door lintels. In the residence of Arias de Saavedra, the artist from Aragon painted a portrait of Jovellanos. The Museo de la Guarnicionería displays leatherwork and various tools from a collection donated by Miguel Gómez, the last saddler in Jadraque. Jadraque was formerly known for the leatherwork made by its saddlers; up to four people practised this craft there, and stalls selling their products were set up during the festivities.

Countryside and Trails

The Senda del río Henares is an approximately three-kilometre-long riverside path between the area around the dam at Paraje de Fabriqueros and the El Batán area. The municipality of Jadraque has several hiking routes through a varied landscape with different types of vegetation and wildlife.

Jadraque is part of the „Tierra de Fronteras“ route, which runs from Atienza to Calatayud through the provinces of Guadalajara, Soria and Zaragoza. The route can be travelled by road vehicle, on a long-distance hiking trail or by bicycle. The Camino del Cid passport can be collected and stamped in Jadraque at the Oficina de Turismo or the town hall.

Sightseeing and Getting There

The Oficina de Turismo in Jadraque offers guided tours lasting approximately two hours on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 12 noon. Visits to the Saleta de Jovellanos museum require an appointment in advance. Three roads lead to Jadraque from the A-2: via Hita, Miralrío or Mandayona.

Other Places

Luzón, Mazuecos, Atanzón, Campillo De Dueñas, Olmedillas, Alcoroches, Algar De Mesa and Aranzueque

Food and Festivals

Traditionally prepared cabrito is cooked in an earthenware dish in a wood-fired oven and seasoned with the Salsa jadraqueña, typical of Jadraque, made with vinegar and various aromatic plants. The Fiesta de las Migas centres on a competition in which participants prepare migas in traditional copper cauldrons. The Fiesta de las Migas ends after the competition and award ceremony with a public tasting of Castilian migas. The Fiesta de las Migas, held in Jadraque in December, has the status of a festival of provincial tourist interest.

Jadraque's patron saint festivities in honour of Cristo con la Cruz Acuestas are held on 14 September. The Cena de San Juan was revived by local residents in 1988 and consisted of a medieval dinner followed by jumping over bonfires in the vicinity of Castillo del Cid.

To the higher-level travel overview: Guadalajara.