After the open days this weekend, guided tours can be arranged from Wednesday to Sunday
For the first time in 1,000 years, the castle of Escalona (Toledo) opens its doors this Saturday, April 26, being owned by the town. Open days will start from 11:00 and will be free of charge.
«A dream come true,» said the mayor of the town, Álvaro Gutiérrez, who pointed out that the open days will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, from 11:00 to 14:00, respectively.
Last summer, the mayor announced to the residents that the Town Hall had purchased this building declared a Cultural Interest Site (BIC) strategically located on a plateau bordering the Alberche River.
The town council signed the deeds before a notary on October 10, making the purchase official with municipal funds.
The castle will open at 11:00 on Saturday, April 26, with the mayor of the town presiding over the event. Throughout the weekend, anyone who wants to «can enjoy the time they want, walk around and be there.»
Starting the following week, as the mayor explained, the castle can be visited, but with organized, scheduled, and guided tours arranged through the tourist office.
These tours, lasting nearly two hours, will be free for people with the ViveEscalona card and children under 9. For ages 9 to 16, people with disabilities, and groups of at least ten people, the entrance fee will be two euros. The general entrance will have a «very affordable» rate of 3 euros.
As the mayor revealed, guided tours will take place from Wednesday to Sunday. The castle will be closed on Monday and Tuesday. It will be open on Saturday in the morning and afternoon. And on Wednesday afternoons, guided tours will be free.
THE CASTLE CAN BE SEEN IN ITS FULLNESS
The mayor of Escalona explained that those who visit this almost perfect war machine this weekend will be able to see the castle «in its fullness.» They can explore the exterior areas, the fortress, the walkway, the armory, the rear courtyard which was the old Renaissance palace, with its archaeological remains and view of the river.
Visitors will also see the honor courtyard where Álvaro de Luna held his celebrations, parties that «the chronicles said were the most important in Castile,» the mayor said.
In addition, visitors can explore the interior of the residence and the most important part of the castle, which is the homage tower, and the hall where the chapel of the Order of Santiago, built by Álvaro de Luna in the 15th century, still stands, as detailed by the mayor.
«Álvaro de Luna was the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago and ordered the construction of a chapel in honor of Saint James within the castle, one of the most important preserved in Spain, it seems,» Álvaro Gutiérrez affirmed.
To open the castle, cleaning, clearing, and maintenance work has been done, followed by consolidation and restoration work, which will be carried out in the next phase, highlighted the mayor.
THE TOURISM PROJECT IS STILL ON
On another note, he mentioned that the idea of turning the castle into a tourist complex «is still ongoing.» «This is absolutely independent and complementary. We are organizing these events. Then, starting next week, everyone will be able to see it in an organized and guided manner. But, simultaneously, we continue with the idea, the work, the project, the contacts of that great tourism project that, as I said, is still ongoing.»
Finally, Gutiérrez emphasized that the Town Hall has made a «huge effort to prepare» and the castle «is very nice to see.»
For 1,000 years, the castle has been owned by lords, dukes, princes, nobles, and more recently by individuals. The Town Hall had been working with the owning family for years to reach an agreement, and last summer, the opportunity arose for the Town Hall to acquire the castle.
The castle consists of the fortress itself and an extensive Mudejar palace built by the constable Álvaro de Luna. Its interior is divided into two clearly differentiated parts, the Plaza de Armas surrounded by the fortress and the square-shaped Palace further south. The two parts are separated by the Patio del Honor.