Guadalajara is a city in central Spain in the region of Castile-La Mancha. It is located about 40 miles (60 km) from Madrid. The city was founded in the 8th century by the Moors and its name is derived from its Moorish name Wadi-al-Hajara, or Valley of the Stones.
Since that time it has been occupied by people of many different cultures, all of whom have left their mark in terms of architecture. For example the Moorish bridge over the river Henares is built on the foundations of a former Roman bridge.
A notable building is the Palacio del Infantado, former home of the Duke of Mendoza, which has a decorative facade and cloister-like patio. Inside the palace is an art museum.
Children will enjoy some time at the Selva Magica theme park. The park has many rides, including rollercoasters, and dodgem cars, that will keep them amused for hours. It also has its own cafe and restaurant.
Guadalajara also has its own zoo, another excellent place to amuse the children. The zoo has a good range of animals from Mexico, the Americas and other parts of the world. Visitors can walk independently through the zoo or can take a tram ride around the displays.
There are many restaurants and bars in Guadalajara. In the evening there are often a variety of shows held in some of them, including bands comedy acts and audience participation games. It is not a place for those who wish to party all night as there is only one all night club.
A building worth investigating is the Church of San Gines which was built in 1557 and contains the tombs of the Infantando and Tendillo families. Another religious building worthy of note is the Convento de la Piedad. The covent dates back to 1530. It’s known for its architectural features such as the Plateresque doorway and double arcade.
