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Parador de Almagro
The capital of Spanish classical theater
Located in a truly exceptional cultural and historical setting, the Parador de Almagro occupies the old Convent of Santa Catalina, which dates back to the 17th century and was the city’s first Franciscan convent.
Visitors can enjoy the unique setting of the 400-year-old monastery, including its beautiful Mudejar tiling. The building itself is full of surprises, such as its 14 interior patios, galleries and passageways with characteristic blue beams, as well as the traditional tilework with geometric decoration.
The Convent of Santa Catalina was built in the 17th c and extensions were added in the following two centuries. The architecture of the building is a combination of Renaissance and Baroque styles, while the original parts of the complex that remain are the refectory and cellar, now surrounded by new patios and spaces built during its conversion into a Parador.
Almagro is closely linked to the Order of Calatrava, one of the most important Spanish religious-military orders. The town was chosen as the headquarters of the order in 1212, and later enjoyed great prestige, augmented by the appointment of Carlos I as Grand Master. It later became the capital city of Spanish theatre in the Siglo de Oro (Spanish Golden Age).