Within that set of monumental cities of Old Castile, which, due to their interest and relevance, occupy a prominent place in that metaphorical chronicle of milestones and events, which, deep down, we can come to think of as History, the community and land of Ávila, the ancient fiefdom of the warlike Celtiberian tribe of the Arévacos, has an indisputable jewel, which today I invite you, in part, to discover.
It is a beautiful city, approximately twenty kilometers away from the stately Arévalo and which, like it, also has, as a whole, a long history and with enough artistic elements, too, to make a visit constitutes, in some existential way, a small journey in time: Madrigal de las Altas Torres.
A city of ancient Castilian ancestry, which still preserves a good part of the solid walls that protected it during those turbulent episodes of the Middle Ages, in which it gradually grew until it became one of the most important cities of the time, in it in 1451, one of the queens who had the most importance and prominence, both in the history and in the unification of Spain, was born: Isabella the Catholic.
Her betrothal to Ferdinand of Aragon, whom she married through a papal bull, as they were second cousins, unified the two most important kingdoms of the time, which were, without a doubt, those of Aragon and Castile, a detail that, Together with the completion of the Reconquista, after the surrender and capture of Granada in 1492, it put an end to centuries of Arab domination, also giving rise to Spain becoming one of the main powers in the known world, therefore, due to its mediation, the voyages of Christopher Columbus were financed, which, as we know, resulted in the discovery of the New World and in fact, it could be said also the birth of a new era.
It is not surprising, therefore, that among the numerous references that the traveler can find in this city, this last case also serves as a reminder of a city that still feels very proud of the importance it had in the past.
A city that, apart from the colorful romanticism that is displayed by walking along the edge of its old walls, letting yourself be carried away by the immanent sensation of unreality that wandering through its old surrounding neighborhoods has, offers, as places of interest, both artistic and historical. and above all, cultural, the formidable panoramic views of elegant sacred sites, such as the temples of San Nicolás de Bari and Santa María del Castillo, which make it, like many other Castilian cities, another of the capitals of Mudejar art; the palace-house where Isabel la Católica was born; the Town Hall or the old, although immeasurable, Hospital of the Purísima Concepción and its involvement in the care and treatment of both the sick and the pilgrims, so let us never forget that the Caminos to Santiago and Castilla are many and varied, of course, too. It was and continues to be, lavish in them.
In addition to these architectures, Madrigal de las Altas Torres also stands out for that other architecture, the rural and provincial, which, in addition to attracting attention for its humble, but not for that reason, robust constitution, incorporates modern and even modernist elements, which, in some way, they also delight art lovers, who have in them, no doubt, an imaginary walk through the centuries and their different artistic currents.
Outside the city and separated from it, approximately one kilometer, romantics can also thrill at the sight of what was once one of the main monasteries for many kilometers around: the ruins of the Augustinian Convent of Outside the Walls.
Within the field of restoration, Madrigal de las Altas Torres also stands out for its gastronomic elements, where it stands out, as it could not be otherwise, the different seasonings of that animal that has given so many satisfactions, over the centuries, to hungry palates: lamb.
Worthy of mentioning, as an excellent accompaniment to the formidable Castilian stews, are the wines of a land that, like the surrounding areas of Segovia and Zamora, also produces exceptional wines that are worth tasting.
In short: a historical and monumental city, which, of course, is not only worth knowing, but also worth enjoying, as the ideal substitute for a cultural trip, which, I have no doubt, will leave pleasant memories in the memory of the visitor.
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NOTICE: Both the text, the accompanying photographs, as well as the video that illustrates it, are my exclusive intellectual property and are therefore subject to my Copyright.
