10 medieval villages to visit as a family
Traveling back in time is possible. To ancient Rome, to the far west, to the Middle Ages ... yes, it is possible thanks to the fact that many towns and citys of the world maintain a historical essence that intoxicates big and small. As a sample, we bring a selection of 10 incredible medieval villages to visit as a family.
Family trips are a unique opportunity to strengthen ties and renew communication between parents and children, as well as in the couple themselves. It's a relaxing moment away from the rush and schedules of the routine In addition, we can learn a lot about the world around us and what has happened close to home.
The Middle Ages It is a very interesting time in our history, and this is attested by the many medieval towns that remain standing throughout Europe. Therefore, in this article we propose a family getaway by seven Spanish towns that maintain all its essence of the Middle Ages, plus three Europeans that are simply unmissable.
The seven most beautiful medieval towns in Spain
Olite (Navarra)
Just look at the image that accompanies this paragraph and want to pay a visit. The slender and harmonious silhouette of its castle-palace dominates Olite, a small town located in the geographical center of Navarra, 42 kilometers south of Pamplona. Royal seat during the Middle Ages, the thick walls and crenellated towers of the palace housed kings and princesses. Declared a national monument in 1925, it is the most important example of Navarre civil Gothic and one of the most remarkable in Europe.
Besalú (Gerona)
The village is of medieval origin and grew around a fortress, the Castle of Besalú, former center of administration and power in the territory. This castle is documented from the early 10th century.
Other places of interest of the municipality are the Pont Vell, the Old Bridge, a work that dates from the 11th century; the monastery of Sant Pere, a Benedictine temple from the 10th century; Casa Cornellà, one of the best preserved Romanesque buildings in all of Catalonia; and the church of Sant Viçens, also from the 10th century.
Hervás (Cáceres)
The specialized website SkyScanner recommends it as one of the best medieval towns in Europe. "Once upon a time one of the best-preserved Jewish quarters in Spain, to the point that today you can still buy authentic pieces of kosher pastry, get lost in its winding streets until you reach the Church of Santa María, the highest point in the city. From there, the town looks like an island of red roofs lulled by a gentle sea of mountains. "
Consuegra (Toledo)
"Consuegra rocked in the solemn tranquility of La Mancha, in the distance there would be silence, peace ... interrupted, perhaps, by the wind that beat the blades of their mills and left indifferent the walls of a castle vastly wielded by the Manchego air ". This is described in Tourism of Castilla-La Mancha this city of Toledo, and the truth is that invites you to visit as an amazing place of castles and mills of Don Quixote.
Peñafiel (Valladolid)
From one Castilla we pass to the other. In this way they call the visitors in this Castilian town: "To visit Peñafiel is to travel to the past without using a time machine, it is to open the palate to the flavors of yesterday, today and tomorrow, it is to know in the first person the culture, art and tradition forged over the centuries, it is, in short, to look back from the corner of your eye as you walk forward with a firm step. "
Santillana del Mar (Cantabria)
From the first prehistoric settlements, to the lordly heyday and going through periods of great ecclesiastical strength, Santillana del Mar has been acquiring an incomparable artistic, cultural and monumental legacy. The excellent conservation of its mansions, its collegiate church and the numerous palaces will immerse you to the whole family in a distant and exciting time.
Aínsa (Huesca)
Celtas, Romans, Muslims, Christians * a story of diversity and richness that makes the visit to the town of Aínsa an amazing journey through time, full of color and full of wonderful surprises. Strolling through the old streets of the village, declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1965, you will enjoy the warmth of its people and the beauty of an environment with a clear medieval flavor.
Its old streets, its castle, the wall and its doors, the Plaza Mayor, the church of Santa Maria, or the facades of Casa Arnal and Casa Bielsa are a stony summary of the idiosyncrasies of a town with a strong personality and a cultural heritage fascinating.
Three unmissable medieval towns in Europe
In addition to these seven Spanish towns, we added three more from Europe to complete this decalogue of unmissable towns to know the Middle Ages.
Salisbury (United Kingdom)
Salisbury is a city in Wiltshire, England, famous for its beautiful cathedral and for being located in its vicinity the incredible monument of Stonehenge, so a visit to this city is the perfect excuse to travel even more in time and know the prehistory. The city is at the confluence of five rivers: the Nadder, the Ebble, the Wylye and the Bourne which are tributaries of the fifth river Avon (the Celtic word for 'river') that flows into the English Channel to Christchurch, Dorset .
Fredrikstad (Norway)
Fredrikstad, in Norway, is the only Norwegian enclave that keeps its walls intact. For some it is the most medieval town in the country. SkyScanner highlights its pit, a large defensive hole that today is still full of water and giving star to the town.
Cortona (Italy)
In the Italian Tuscan is this beautiful city, the only one built on a buttress of the S.Egidio mountain. Of Etruscan foundation, among the main places to visit you can mention the Duomo, the Church of San Francesco and Santa Maria delle Grazie al Calcinaio, the Palazzo Comunale and the museums of the Etruscan Academy and the Diocesan.
Angela R. Bonachera
