Travel to the Middle Ages

15 Rusticae hotels in or close to medieval villages

Many consider that the Middle Ages were a dark, rather backward phase, which contrasts with the artistic and cultural splendor of the Greco-Roman civilization that preceded it. However, the medieval towns captivate us. They are places that seem to have stopped in time and, through their location, their narrow streets, castles, walls, squares, churches or stately palaces, tell us about the life of past times, the battles and characters that have transcended in the history. Get to know some of these 15 medieval towns while staying at a Rusticae hotel!

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Olite (Navarre)

The medieval city of Olite is located in the geographical center of Navarra, 42 km south of Pamplona. With a tour through its narrow streets you´ll walk next to stone houses with coats of arms and grandiose wooden eaves; medieval galleries and splendid churches, not to forget about the walled enclosure. But the true highlight of Olite is the Royal Palace, which was the court of the Navarrese Kings until the conquest of Navarre. Olite also has two medieval churches: Santa María and San Pedro. Do not miss the Medieval Festivals, the Classic Theater Festival and taste its exquisite wines. Half an hour from Olite you can stay at the Heredad Beragu Hotel, an agro-chic hotel located in the medieval village of Gallipienzo, with a rich historical heritage and a unique natural environment.

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Vallderrobres (Teruel)

Near the Mediterranean, between Catalonia, Aragon and Valencia, is the region of Matarraña. A territory with an own personality, good weather, green landscapes and with medieval towns with a valuable historical and cultural legacy. The capital is Valderrobres, a village located on a hill next to the Matarraña River. Its stone bridge and majestic Portal of San Roque lead to a picturesque medieval town. Ascending through its streets you reach the castle and the church of Santa María la Mayor. They are designed in Gothic style which is unique in Aragon. In the same medieval quarter of Vallderrobres you can stay in the El Racó de Vall de Roures apartments, which inhabits an old 17th century building, classified as historical-artistic!

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Alquézar (Huesca)

In the Huesca region of Somontano de Barbastro, 48 km from the city of Huesca, you can find the medieval town of Alquézar. Perched at 660 meters altitude, the town is perfectly integrated into an impressive landscape. Alquézar arose from a Muslim fortress erected in the ninth century. Nowadays we can enjoy its majestic Collegiate Church, declared a National Monument, and its urban center which is declared a Historic-Artistic Site. If you are also a lover of nature, Alquézar is located within the Natural Park of the Sierra and Canyons of Guara which are perfect for hiking, mountain biking and canyoning. But when it´s time to rest, there is nothing better than Hostería de Guara, a small rural hotel located in Bierge, very close to Alquézar and in the Natural Park.

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Calaceite (Teruel)

If Valderrobres is the administrative capital, Calaceite is the cultural capital of Matarraña, whose historic-artistic ensemble is a sight to see. It is a delight to walk through its streets, with the golden toned stones and the brown colored roofs. Discover its many stately homes, chapels, hermitages, and its beautiful Renaissance town hall. Do not leave without visiting the main street, the Plaza de España, Maella Street, as well as visiting the Church of the Assumption and the Juan Cabré Museum. Calaceite is close to Vía Verde, making it a perfect area for hiking and cycling routes. In Calaceite you can stay at the Hotel Cresol, an old oil mill from the early 18th century, or the Sitjar hotel, an 18th-century manor house next to the old wall and in the main square of the town.

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Pedraza (Segovia)

37 km from the city of Segovia, Pedraza is one of the best preserved medieval villages in Spain. It is surrounded by walls that enclose a precious heritage, which is accessed only through the Puerta de la Villa. Although just walking through the cobbled streets is a pleasure, there are important monuments you should not miss, such as the Cárcel de la Villa, the Calle Real or the Plaza Mayor, a perfect example of a Castilian square, with balconies and beautiful arcades. One of the most special occasions to visit the town is the first and second Saturday of July, when the Night of the Candles and the classical music concerts take place in the Plaza Mayor. Come to Pedraza and stay at the Hospedería de Santo Domingo, a carefully renovated three-century-old noble house.

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Uncastillo (Zaragoza)

In the north-west of the province of Zaragoza, the Cinco Villas region hosts a unique natural and cultural heritage in the Aragonese Pre-Pyrenees. Uncastillo is one of the villages that gives name to the region, with a well-preserved medieval layout, around the rock of Ayllón and its emblematic castle. Every visitor admires the presence of its six Romanesque churches, its Jewish quarter and the examples of 16th-century Renaissance buildings. So it is not surprising that it is one of the most important monumental ensembles in Aragón and was declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1966. The best hosts will find you at the Posada Uncastillo hotel or at the Uncastillo Apartments, which, in addition to offering you accommodation with charm, will help you plan your getaway and enjoy active tourism in the natural surroundings of the region.

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