Castle of Carlos V, Hondarribia, Medieval castle and parador hotel in Hondarribia, Spain.
The Castle of Carlos V is a fortified palace at the top of the old town of Hondarribia, near the border between Spain and France. The rectangular stone building has corner towers, thick walls, and a central courtyard that connects the two main sections of the structure.
A fortification belonging to the Kingdom of Navarre stood on this site as far back as the 10th century, guarding the crossing over the Txingudi bay. Emperor Charles V ordered major rebuilding work in the 16th century, turning it into a place fit for royal stays while keeping its defensive role.
The entrance portal and the stone arcades of the inner courtyard show how Gothic and Renaissance forms were combined in a single building. Guests who stay the night can walk through the same spaces once reserved for royalty.
The building operates today as a Parador hotel, so access to the interior is reserved for guests staying there. The location at the top of the old town's main street makes it easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the historic center.
The building carries the name of Charles V, yet he is said to have spent only a single night here. That brief stay is what prompted the renovations that gave the structure its current form.
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