Centro Histórico de Chinchön

. A harsh landscape, a harsh climate and a harsh living. All these have shaped the historic centre of the town of Chichon. This is not Andalusia, where white-washed houses decorated with flowerpots of geraniums tumble down the streets to little squares where the scent of orange-blossom fills the air in springtime. This is the centre of Spain where winter is hard and summer is hot, and the houses reflect this, with solid walls and big strong doors. But this severe townscape has many charms which are revealed to the visitor in the splendour of its harshness. The streets ramble, up and down and round. The pebbles underfoot are many many years old, probably older than those who tread them. The wooden balconies surrounding the main square - the Plaza Mayor - are painted green and often filled with chairs and tables where you can drink and eat (eat very well, warming dishes to keep out the cold, to keep the body going) and watch the world go by. The austere streets seem noble as their houses turn their backs, seemingly, on passers-by. You are in a secret place, a place that keeps its own secrets, that holds tight to its past. Look up. Look up at the towers - of the Torre del Reloj, of the Church - pointing heavenwards above the narrow winding streets. Look down. Walk up, up to the promenade by the Torre del Reloj, and look down. Look down on the rooftops, see the hidden patios and gardens that you would never guess lay there behind the severe house fronts. Look across. Look across over the rooftops, over the Plaza Mayor to the castle, the Castillo de los Condes, brooding on the hill opposite, set there in the 15th century to protect the town. Look at sunrise, look at mid-day, look at sunset, look in moonlight. This little town changes its whole atmosphere as the light changes. A superb place to visit. .

Nice historical place

A historic town. Little to visit. From the Plaza Mayor, you see everything.

I love it!!

Place of lodging of King Felipe V as it passes through Chinchón, the night drl February 25, 1706. Baroque building of the end of s. XVII, with facade of three bodies and main door adintelada.