Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain

When people hears Ciudad Rodrigo, a story comes to mind. Ciudad Rodrigo is one of the most beautiful hidden areas of northern Spain. Everything in it is steeped in history and is not affected by the mass invasion of the wave called "tourism". The city of Ciudad Rodrigo gets its name from Count Rodrigo González Chiron, who settled on its lands after he succeeded in freeing it and expelling the Moors in the 12th century.
Ciudad Rodrigo is what it is, but not after the construction of the new highways to Porto in Portugal and Valladolid begins. Peace and quiet reign on Ciudad Rodrigo's streets, not even in February. Then it's as if the city wakes up from a winter sleep to celebrate its festival - enciero, when the bullfighting season begins.
That tourism has not left its mark and has not affected the individuality of Ciudad Rodrigo is palpable. For example, the cuisine of the Ciudad Rodrigo is not something specific - the specialty of Ciudad Rodrigo is el farinato, or sausage made of flour and lard, eaten with fried eggs. But on the other hand, Ciudad Rodrigo can tell a lot about its glorious past through its large number of palaces.
For example, towering over the Ciudad Rodrigo are the inhospitable Roman-style walls of the Enrique II de Trastamara Castle, now a parador. The cathedral of Ciudad Rodrigo dates from the 12th century, and its beautiful portal, the Portada de la Virgen, dates from the 13th century. Its Renaissance altarpiece, carved thrones in the choir and its gallery represent a pleasing remake of architectural styles. The neighboring darker Capilla de Serralbo is worth a visit for its altarpieces by José Ribeiro, and the next stop on the route should be the famous meeting place - Plaza del Buen Alcalde, where they also serve delicious farinato.