Parador de Cardona, Castle hotel in Cardona, Spain

Parador de Cardona is a medieval fortress on a hilltop with thick stone walls, Gothic arches, and a cylindrical tower. The structure overlooks the Cardona valley and surrounding mountains with interconnected rooms and passageways inside.

The castle was built in 886 by Wilfred the Hairy. In the 15th century the Dukes of Cardona, known as the "kings without a crown", were the most powerful family in the Crown of Aragon after the royal house. In 1714, after a siege that largely destroyed its walls, it was one of the last strongholds to surrender to the Bourbon troops of Philip V in the War of the Spanish Succession. The Parador was inaugurated in 1976.

The Sala Dorada and Sala dels Entresols display different periods through their stonework and decorative details. These rooms show how noble families displayed their status and lived within these walls.

Visitors can join guided tours through the medieval halls and underground passages to understand the structure and defensive design. The hilltop location requires some walking uphill, but offers rewarding views across the surrounding landscape.

One room remains closed to regular bookings due to reported unusual occurrences connected to an old tale of a Muslim prince. This detail adds to the site's mystique and sparks curiosity among visitors.