Located in the Sierra Ministra, in the north of the province of Guadalajara, Sigüenza is the main tourist destination in the province and one of the major tourist attractions in the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha (second only to Toledo). It is known as the "Ciudad del Doncel" (literally "City of the Young Nobleman"). It is a very small city, with less than 5,000 inhabitants, but is of significant historical importance.
On the approach to Sigüenza (by rail and car), it soon becomes apparent what its main attractions are: the cathedral and castle, which are huge and make the city look even smaller than it already is. The Gothic-Romanesque cathedral overshadows the centre of the city. Martín Vázquez de Arce, the "Doncel de Sigüenza", is interred in the chapel of St John and St Catherine (with a fantastic alabaster sepulchre). The castle is now a "Parador" (luxury hotel) and has some great views of the surrounding valley. There are other places to visit, such as the Casa del Doncel, the Ermita de San Roque and El Humilladero (formerly a hermitage, now the tourist office), which can all be seen in half a day.
I must confess to having a mostly hate-hate relationship with this town (mostly for personal reasons). While I recognise that is it picturesque, whenever I have been there, I have always ended up wanting to catch the first train out of there after a couple of hours. As the saying goes; "there's no accounting for tastes" or as they Spanish say "sobre gustos no hay nada escrito".
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| CASTLE IN SIGÜENZA |
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| CATHEDRAL IN SIGÜENZA |
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| CASA DEL DONCEL, SIGÜENZA |
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| PLAZA MAYOR AND SIGÜENZA TOWN HALL |
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