Guadalajara Capital City

Guadalajara is an ancient city that, for the Romans, was an important garrison town along the Via Augusta. During Arabic domination the city was baptised Uad-al-Hayeratz, or River of Stones.

The golden age for the city was in the XVI century when it became the stronghold for the Mendoza family. During this time much of the monumental aspect of the city was attained.

In recent times, and after a prolonged period of depopulation, Guadalajara has experienced a growth in population, mostly due to its proximity to Madrid and related principally to the improved communications between the city and the capital city of Spain.

Routes and Places worth a Visit

The Infantado Palace was closely related to the Spanish Court. The building as designed by Jaun and Enrique Güas and is considered an work of art in stone. The building has witnessed much related to Spanish royal families: the Catholic Kings were entertained here as were Francis I of France and Felipe II. Felipe V celebrated his wedding here.

Torreón de Alvar Fáñez. According to legend, Minaya Alvar Fáñez, a relative of El Cid, captured the square from the Muslims in a daring raid in 1085. The tower that bears his name defended one of the gates of the city walls.

The Church-cathedral of Santa Maria la Mayor is a magnificent building composed of mudéjar, gothic and barroque elements. It was built over the remains of an ancient mosque and was started at the end of the XIII century.

The oldest part of the cathedral are the doors that look to the south and east. These are fashioned in simple mudéjar style in brick.

The Palace of Don Antonio de Mendoza is a renaissance palace that boasts a splendid facade which overlooks the neighbouring Church of Piety, and is a work of Alonso de Covarrubias.

More information: http://www.visitclm.com/

Important Fiestas

In Gualajara capital city the three festivals that are held in most of Spain are here considered to be of national interest.

These include the Cabalgata of the Reyes Magos on the 6th January, Semana Santa and Corpus Christi. The main festival of the capital city is held in September.

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