Discover things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, its rich history, architecture and gastronomy. We also tell you all about the interactive gamified tour.
Ciudad Rodrigo has a rich history and stunning local architecture and cuisine that will captivate you through this guide. Shall we tell you about it?
Located in the province of Salamanca, this city has witnessed key historical events over the centuries. It is a place where past and present intertwine harmoniously.
On this tour we will show you step by step the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo and you will immerse yourself in its historical heritage, enjoy its vibrant culture and explore the highlights that make this city an exceptional place.
A Tour through the History of Ciudad Rodrigo
Ciudad Rodrigo, located in the province of Salamanca, is a city with a rich history that has played a key role in several episodes of Spanish history. If you are wondering what are the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, learning about its history will help you to appreciate this heritage-filled destination even more.
Origins and foundation
The history of Ciudad Rodrigo dates back to pre-Roman times, when the Vetones, a Celtiberian people, inhabited the area. However, it was with the Romans that its consolidation as a strategic point began, due to its location near the border with Portugal and its elevated position above the Águeda river. It was known as Miróbriga, from which the present name of the city derives.
The Middle Ages and splendour under the crown of León
During the Reconquest, the city was repopulated and fortified under the leadership of Ferdinand II of León in the 12th century, who made it a strategic military post to defend the kingdom against Muslim advances. This marked the rise of Ciudad Rodrigo, which became one of the main fortified towns in the region. It was during this period that the impressive Cathedral of Santa María was built, an outstanding example of Romanesque-Gothic art that is still one of the most important monuments to see and OFC a must in the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo.
Importance in the Napoleonic Wars
In the 19th century, Ciudad Rodrigo played a crucial role during the Napoleonic Wars, specifically in the Spanish War of Independence. The town suffered several sieges, the most famous being that of 1812, when British troops, led by the Duke of Wellington, recaptured it from French hands. The scars of this battle can still be seen on some of its buildings, and the walls surrounding the city are a reminder of its military past. This historical event is fundamental to understanding the strategic importance of Ciudad Rodrigo and is one of the most fascinating things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo.
Ciudad Rodrigo today
Today, Ciudad Rodrigo has managed to preserve its historical and architectural heritage. Its walls, castle and cathedral bear witness to a past full of wars, sieges and rebirths. The city is also famous for its traditional festivals, such as the Carnival of the Bull, which attracts visitors from far and wide.
Exploring the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo means discovering a city that combines its rich history with a vibrant cultural life, offering visitors a journey back in time through its well-preserved streets and monuments.
Things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo : 12 must-Visit
Architectural and cultural richness define Ciudad Rodrigo. Embark with us to discover the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, from its squares, palaces and churches to the majestic walls that tell the story of this city’s legacy.
Check out these 12 essential places in our list of thinfgs to do in Ciudad Rodrigo:
1.-Parque de la Glorieta: We begin our tour in the Parque de La Glorieta in Ciudad Rodrigo. This space not only has a beautiful space for events and children’s games, but also a sculpture representing the Sun. This star is the central point of the “Solar System to Scale of Ciudad Rodrigo”, the largest three-dimensional representation of the world, without doubt one of the most curious things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo. This project allows you to visit the Solar System “at the speed of light” and offers interactive experiences, such as guided tours and augmented reality, with detailed information about each element of the solar system.
2.-Plaza del Conde: We continue our tour in the lively Plaza del Conde. It is an extensive L-shaped pedestrian square surrounded by outstanding buildings such as the Palace of the Counts of Alba de Yeltes and the Municipal House of Culture. This square was also known as Plazuela de las Descalzas due to the foundation of the Franciscan convent in 1605.
3.-Palacio de los Castro or Palacio de Montarco: We continue our tour heading to the Palacio de los Castro, an impressive example of Gothic-Plateresque architecture from the 16th century. Declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1958 and restored in 2007, it stands out for its location near the cathedral and its history linked to historical figures. During 1812, it served as the headquarters of Wellington, who later received the title of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo. Today, the palace belongs to new owners. Take a look at the main coat of arms and discover the details of its façade adorned with Solomonic columns and lion sculptures.
4.-Cathedral of Santa María: Continue the visit to the majestic Cathedral of Santa María, a Gothic church built in the 12th century. It is notable for its north doorway decorated with lozenges and fleurons and a remarkable Gothic rose window. Its cloister has decorative elements from the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods. Is there anything that catches your eye on the outside walls? Look closely at the cavities in the rock, they are war scars caused by cannon fire during the War of Independence.
5.-Cerralbo Church: Visit the Cerralbo Church, a Herrerian jewel. Built in the 16th century, it originally tried to overshadow the Cathedral of Santa María. It has a Herrerian style and was the work of the architects Juan de Valencia and Juan Ribero de Rada. Despite its unusual orientation, with serious damage during the War of Independence, the church has survived and has served as a parish church since the 19th century. Among its outstanding works of art are the altarpiece by “Alonso de Balbás” and the oil painting of “La Inmaculada de Domingo Martínez”.
6.-Plaza del Buen Alcalde: it is a picturesque space in Ciudad Rodrigo, characterised by whitewashed buildings and arcades. It hosts a fruit and vegetable market on Tuesdays and has a romantic fountain in its centre. Dedicated to José Manuel Sánchez-Arjona de Velasco, known as “the good mayor”, the square has had various historical uses and is located next to the Cathedral of Santa María.
It is now a space for the city’s local peñas.
7.-Plaza Mayor: Walk to the imposing Plaza Mayor, the heart of the city. Surrounded by plateresque buildings, it was once the centre of urban activity and one of the main places in the thinfs to do in Ciudad Rodrigo. Over the centuries, the square was expanded and hosted events such as bullfights. Today, it is still the heart of urban life, with the Town Hall, the former Audiencia and the house of the Marquis of Cerralbo among its significant buildings. In the Plaza below are the houses of the Marquises of Espeja.
8.-Church of San Pedro and San Isidoro: Head for the Church of San Pedro and San Isidoro, a Romanesque church with an impressive bell tower. Reformed in the 16th century, it preserves the original apse decorated with five blind brick arches and a northern doorway with decorated archivolts.
9.-Walls of Ciudad Rodrigo: Explore the imposing walls of Ciudad Rodrigo. Made up of two lines of oval walls 2,200 metres long and 13 metres high at some points, it has five towers and seven preserved gates. Although there are remains from the 12th century, most of the present-day wall was built in the 18th-century reform. Today it remains almost intact, with moats, gun ports and traces of French artillery from the War of Independence. The route along the wall offers magnificent panoramic views of the city and its surroundings, something worth seeing in Ciudad Rodrigo.
10.palacio de los Águila: Visit the Palacio de los Águila, an example of 16th-century Gothic-Plateresque architecture. This building is an outstanding Renaissance building promoted by Don Antonio del Águila. With a voussoir façade and garden, the palace stands out for its spaciousness and the fact that it occupies an entire block. It has two courtyards, one Plateresque with double arches and decorative coats of arms, as well as a private chapel. Designated a historic-artistic monument in 1969, it has been restored and houses the Hispano-Luso Centre and temporary exhibitions, as well as hosting the Castilla y León Theatre Fair.
11.-Castle of Ciudad Rodrigo: Visit the Castle of Ciudad Rodrigo, built in the 14th century by Enrique II of Trastámara. In military Gothic style, it stands out as an ancient place of defence of the Águeda River and its ancient bridge. It has also withstood several attacks throughout history, including the War of Independence. It currently houses the Parador Nacional de Turismo, offering the opportunity to explore its gardens, the imposing main tower and its curious stone cairn.
12.Old Bridge: It crosses the so-called Roman Bridge of Ciudad Rodrigo. Located in a picturesque setting of great artistic value, Ciudad Rodrigo dates back to the 6th century B.C., being called Augustóbriga in Roman times. The Three Columns, the current emblem of the city, are believed to have been part of an ancient Roman temple. In 1165, Ferdinand II of León rebuilt the Roman bridge during the repopulation of the city, which has been a Historic-Artistic Site since 1944. Experience the sensation of travelling back in time as you cross the bridge and enjoy the views of the Águeda.
There are a lot of things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, but this is the most known.
You can take this tour interactively and find out the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo with the DareMapp app, it’s free!
Things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo through its traditions: The Carnival of the Bull
We can distinguish Ciudad Rodrigo for its deep-rooted artisan tradition, passed down from generation to generation, and its exquisite gastronomy, where pork is the undisputed protagonist. You can find out the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo depending on the time of year through its festive calendar. It offers a wide range of celebrations that will make you discover incomparable festivities.
One of its best-known festivities that you can’t miss is “El Carnaval del Toro”. Declared to be of National Tourist Interest, it is the most important festival in the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, with bull runs, bullfights and bullfights that fill the streets with excitement and fun.
From San Antón, an honouring of the patron saint of animals, to San Sebastián, festivities that take up a large part of January, to the Romería de San Blas, the city is brimming with devotion and tradition.
Holy Week is also something worth seeing in Ciudad Rodrigo. Distinguished by its religious fervour and the artistic quality of its processions, it is one of the most important events not to be missed. As part of this festival you can see a folkloric display of costumes, dances and regional music, declared a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest. Definitively, a different experience if you are looking for unique things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo.
Finally, we recommend “La Feria de Teatro de Castilla y León”, and “La Romería de la Peña de Francia”. The first is a space for the performing arts which takes place in August, and the second, in September, is a manifestation of devotion deeply rooted in the region. Without a doubt, there is a lot of things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo.
Things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo: What to eat
The gastronomy of the region of Ciudad Rodrigo has preserved the tradition of “humble” and spoon dishes, characteristic of this rural area. At the same time, it has evolved towards the popularisation of delicious local meats, previously reserved for special occasions. The exceptional quality of these meats lies in the origin of the meat, the charro countryside. Explore with us a very important part of some of the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo…Explore the gastronomy!
Among the most representative dishes of Ciudad Rodrigo’s gastronomy is farinato, a typical sausage made with lard, bread, paprika and spices, traditionally served with fried eggs. This dish is a local culinary gem that is a must on your gastronomic tour of the city. In fact, when we ask ourselves what are the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, one of the tastes we should not miss is this delicious delicacy. Farinato is so deeply rooted in the local culture that the city’s inhabitants are popularly known as “farinatos”, a nickname that reflects the strong connection between the dish and the city’s identity.
In addition, since 2007 there has been the “Farinato de Ciudad Rodrigo” guarantee mark, which ensures the authenticity of the product and guarantees that quality Iberian pork is used in its preparation. This certification not only preserves the culinary tradition, but also promotes the consumption of a local product that is key to the region’s history and gastronomy.
So, if you’re exploring the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, don’t forget to include a stop to taste this emblematic sausage, whose recipe has been passed down from generation to generation and remains an essential part of the town’s cultural and gastronomic experience.
Extra: Things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo
if you want to complete your tour 100% and explore even more the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, we recommend you also visit two other fascinating places that add a unique touch to your experience:
- The Potty Museum: A truly curious and original space, dedicated to chamber pots from all over the world. This museum houses an impressive collection of more than 1,350 pieces of different styles, models and designs, showing the evolution of this everyday object over the centuries. The oldest piece dates back to the 13th century and comes from one of the twenty-nine nationalities represented in the museum. Located next to the imposing Cathedral of Santa María, the Urinal Museum is a must-see if you are looking for things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo. Don’t miss it!
- The Siega Verde Museum: If ancient art is your thing, you can’t miss the Siega Verde Museum. This spectacular open-air archaeological site presents a fascinating collection of rock art that will take you even further back in time to the first artistic manifestations of mankind. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this museum offers you the opportunity to walk among cave engravings dating back more than 20,000 years, all surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. It’s a unique experience that adds historical depth to any visit and a must-see and do in the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo for lovers of archaeology and ancient history.
These two sites will allow you to explore beyond the traditional monuments, enriching your tour of Ciudad Rodrigo with unique cultural and educational experiences.
With DareMapp you can take interactive guided tours, with a fun tour by the main places while exploring the top in things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo. What could be better than exploring while learning?
From its Roman past to its role in the War of Independence, this city will immerse you in a unique experience full of discoveries and wonders. Don’t wait any longer to find out the things to do in Ciudad Rodrigo, and take this tour with us!
Remember that with DareMapp you can take a multitude of interactive guided tours, including many of these “Spain’s most famous routes”, a fun tour of the main destinations.
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