Parque Arqueológico de Recópolis

Castilla-La Mancha


Recópolis, a fascinating archaeological site, is a rarity. It was one of possibly only four cities that were built during the Visigothic era in Western Europe. Founded by King Leovigildo in CE 578, it was originally conceived as a rival to Constantinople (the dream soon faded). The site is equipped with an interpretive centre that offers guided tours around the ruins, which lie 13km south of Pastrana, signposted off the Tarancón road (turn right just after passing the nuclear power plant).

Although the city survived into the Moorish era, when it became known as Madinat Raqqubal, it was gradually abandoned from the 9th century onwards as its buildings were raided to provide stone to construct a castle at nearby Zorita de los Canes. It was probably last occupied in the 13th century.

Cited on a promontory overlooking the Río Tajo, the ruins reveal remnants of two main streets, a basilica and a royal palace complex. There’s good information in English throughout and guided tours are run three to five times a day. Admission includes access to a nature trail and entrance to the nearby ruined castle at Zorita de los Canes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Castilla-La Mancha attractions

2. Palacio de los Duques del Infantado

26.16 MILES

The only reason to visit businesslike Guadalajara, aside from changing buses, is a pretty good one: the former palace of the illustrious Mendoza clan is…

3. Universidad de Alcalá

27.3 MILES

Founded in 1486 by Cardinal Cisneros, this is one of the country’s principal seats of learning. A guided tour gives a peek into the Mudéjar chapel and the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "spain/northeast-castilla-la-mancha/attractions/parque-arqueologico-de-recopolis/a/poi-sig/1260614/1321554",
      "destination": "Castilla-La-Mancha",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Spain",
      "region": "Castilla-La-Mancha",
      "position": "superzone"
    }