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Parador de Cardona
At the heart of Middle Age
The Parador de Cardona stands on a promontory in a 9th c. castle. It is one of the most impressive medieval complexes in Catalonia. Its privileged location offers visitors an exceptional view of Cardona, the Pyrenees and the interior of Catalonia.
Inside, moats, towers and Gothic walls are combined with a décor designed for comfort and furnishings inspired by Catalan medieval art. The restaurant, located in the old refectory, is one of the most impressive in the Paradores portfolio. You’ll be amazed by the gallery of pointed arches as you savour the best in gastronomy.
Legend has it that the castle of Cardona was never taken throughout its eleven centuries of history. The castle’s origins go back to Charlemagne, who reconquered the region from the Moors. As part of the lands of the Cardonas, one of the most influential Catalan families of the period, it soon became a military bulwark in many conflicts such as the Reapers’ War, the War of the Spanish Succession and the Peninsular War.
A notable feature of the castle is the cylindrical Maiden’s Tower, some 10 metres high. There are stories that one of the Lords of Cardona imprisoned his daughter there to stop her from meeting her lover, a young Moslem.