Very few travelers know it, but less than two hours from Madrid lies a perfectly preserved medieval gem where time seems to have stopped. It is a completely walled town from the 15th century next to Sigüenza, in such good condition that many nickname it the 'Ávila of Guadalajara'. Are you looking for an express getaway to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Palazuelos is a wonderful option.
Palazuelos, a miniature Ávila
Hidden in the heart of Guadalajara since pre-Roman times, Palazuelos reached its glory days in the 15th century, when the noble house of Los Mendoza converted it into the Historical-Artistic Complex that it is today. If you travel here, you will find yourself lost among cobbled streets, traditional peasant houses and walls that delimit and protect the town in the middle of 2026.
Currently, this historic town has only 50 inhabitants and is part of the network of the most unknown and forgotten emptied Spain. However, this neglect has not affected the deterioration of its heritage, which remains in a very good state of conservation.
The walls and the Palazuelos Castle
Gate of the Enclosure
The greatest attraction and treasure of this forgotten town are its walls, which have surrounded the entire town for almost two kilometers for more than 600 years. They are made of mortar and ashlars, decorated with shields of the noble house of Los Mendoza and crowned with towers in the corners, becoming one of the few examples of Castilian walls that remain standing.
Villa Gate
These walls still preserve three entrance gates: the Villa gate, the Monte gate and the Cercado gate. All of them are elbow-shaped for defensive reasons and continue to maintain that curious layout today.
The walls are incredible, but the Palazuelos Castle on top of a hill is even more so. This 15th century fortification was commissioned by the Marquis of Santillana. Its plan is simple, square and small, protected by an old moat that was crossed by drawbridges.
The most authentic Castilian Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor in the center of town is also maintained as it was in the past and only the cars tell you that time has passed. It is a textbook medieval square, with its Siete Caños fountain, its renovated pillory and even a 16th century Romanesque church, dedicated to San Juan Bautista and with an impressive baroque altarpiece inside.
These historical jewels are surrounded by stone mansions and flowering vines, which provide shade and greenery to the entire complex.
A short but beautiful nature route
The magic of this getaway continues outside the walls. Just five minutes north of the Castle is the hermitage of the Virgen de la Soledad. This is a small and regal temple from the 16th century with a beautiful colonnaded entrance.
However, its greatest charm is the environment: the Castilian plain, oak forests and beautiful views of the Sierra Ministera. Not in vain, this path is part of the Ruta de la Lana, one of the oldest and best-known paths on the Camino de Santiago.
Right in front of the hermitage is Despelta, a project that relies on organic farming and ancient grains to promote field work in the area. Their flours are stone ground, as in the past. They also sell artisanal pastas, legumes and you can buy them right there, to take home a good gastro souvenir from this getaway.
