One of Segovia's most impressive castles for sale (ghosts included)

Spain is home to villages with a rich historical heritage and priceless beauty, as well as well-priced homes and properties which would be impossible to buy or build in cities. Pedraza, in Segovia, is one of them.

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Anyone who has visited this charming medieval village, listed as a historic site in 1951, will know that one of its most remarkable attributes or attractions is Pedraza Castle. A place through which historical figures of the cachet of Abderramán III and the kings of Castile and Leon have passed, and which is now for sale on idealista for €4.8 million. The imposing fortress consists of a 683 m2 living area, six bedrooms, four bathrooms and a 30,000 m2 plot.

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• Homes for sale in Pedraza, Segovia
• Rental properties in Pedraza, Segovia

Pedraza Castle was built in the 13th century atop the remains of Roman and Arab fortifications. Throughout history, it has changed hands several times between families and illustrious figures. In the 15th century, it was reformed by the Herrera family, a period from which the keep – still standing and in good condition – dates. 

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Later, in the 16th century, the Dukes of Frías, Constables of Castile, reformed the castle once again, adding the great defensive wall attached to the keep and the outer wall with embrasures and a drawbridge that no longer exists today.

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In 1926, the painter Ignacio Zuloaga bought the castle and renovated it. He set up his studio in one of its towers. His heirs restored a second tower and created the Ignacio Zuloaga Museum, which displays works by the painter, 17th-century Flemish still life paintings, a Christ by El Greco and a painting by Goya depicting the Countess of Baena.  

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The castle is also shrouded in numerous legends and mysteries. It is said that in its nooks and crannies, you can hear the voices of two lovers whose love is engraved for eternity in the fortress. Some even claim that on summer nights their silhouettes can be seen walking along the corridors, surrounded by a fiery glow. 

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These lovers are, according to many, the beautiful Elvira, married to the nobleman Sancho de Ridaura, lord of the castle, but whose heart belonged to a humble farmer called Roberto. Roberto's destiny led him to work in the castle of Pedraza as a chaplain during the lord's absence, who had been called to defend Castile by King Alfonso VIII. Elvira and Roberto had a secret love affair while Sancho was away, but on his return, the lord of the castle discovered the betrayal and killed Roberto, crowning him with a crown of blazing barbs.

• Find holiday accommodation in Pedraza, Segovia

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After the murder, Sancho found Elvira dead. She had stabbed herself in the heart with a dagger. She had also set fire to the castle, creating that fiery image many claim to see on summer nights. Not much is known about Lord Sancho: some say that he disappeared without a trace, others that his soul wanders the corridors of the fortress at night. Whatever the case, the story makes the castle even more intriguing.

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Pedraza, a charming medieval village

The first traces of settlements in the area date back to Roman times, although the first historical records can be traced back to Fernando Gomez de Albornoz, Commander Major of Montalban, appointed by King Enrique II of Castile as Lord of Pedraza in 1369. Subsequently, it passed to the Herrera family and at the end of the 15th century to the constables of Castile through the marriage between Blanca Herrera and Bernardino Fernandez de Velasco. These nobles ruled Pedraza until the manors were abolished in the 19th century.

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Pedraza is more than its castle, it is a charming and beautiful village, with a medieval old town and a heritage that is centuries old. The Puerta de la Villa is the only access to the village, built in the 11th century, although it was rebuilt in the 16th century under the command of Íñigo Fernández de Velasco, whose coat of arms still presides over the entrance. The black poplar wood gates blocked access to the village at night, allowing entry or exit only in case of emergency, with the guard in charge of opening it. 

Next to the Puerta de la Villa is the medieval prison, which was originally a watchtower. In the past, petty criminals were confined there in narrow, dark cells, while the perpetrators of more serious crimes were thrown into dungeons below, where they were subjected to all kinds of torture. This crude system of punishment can be discovered in the prison museum, which was restored in the 20th century.

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Pedraza is a place to consider if you're looking for a getaway for a few days. As in any respectable Segovian town, you can sample the traditional dishes of a region that stands out for its exquisite cuisine. 

Moreover, the village has some festivals and celebrations that should be enjoyed at least once in a lifetime, such as the Night of the Candles. During this celebration, which begins in July, the street lights are turned off and the town is lit up by candlelight.

Charming houses for sale in Pedraza

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Besides the castle, there are other striking properties for sale in Pedraza. For example, this exclusive property includes five buildings: a large main house, three guest houses and a pool house. It consists of 2,000 m2 built area (1,050 m2 usable), 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and a plot of 22,000 m2.

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The property stands out for its exquisite decoration and design, its size and for having first-class facilities and rooms, such as the heated swimming pool, a jacuzzi and a stately library. Its asking price is €2.1 million.

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Another wonderful property for sale in Pedraza is this 233-m2 detached villa with four bedrooms, four bathrooms and a 3,505-m2 plot of land with fruit trees, four centenary olive trees. Its asking price is €500,000.

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