Producer Luis Álvarez has joined Santiago Segura and José Mota in acquiring the medieval Castillo de Pedraza in Segovia for €4.8 million, information from EFE. The three, known for their work in Spanish cinema and entertainment, bought the fortress from descendants of painter Ignacio Zuloaga, whose family’s long association with the castle helped shape its modern cultural identity.
Spanning more than 680 square meters of habitable space, the castle is one of Segovia’s most striking landmarks. Built in the 13th century and substantially rebuilt in the 15th, it combines the defensive architecture of a medieval fortress with a later artistic legacy. The new owners’ cultural plans place the property’s future use within the context of both its history and Pedraza’s established cultural calendar.
Ambitious Cultural Plans
The acquisition was made through Teatrópolis, the company associated with the project and with Segura and Mota. Teatrópolis has announced plans for cultural events, particularly summer programming that will include concerts and festivals. The programme would give the fortress a role as a cultural venue alongside its historic significance.
The castle’s artistic connection dates to Zuloaga, who acquired the property in 1926 when its interior was reportedly in ruins. He restored one of its towers and used it as a studio. His heirs later adapted a second tower as the Museo Zuloaga, displaying works by the painter and, on some occasions, pieces associated with the family collection, including works attributed to El Greco and Goya. The museum’s history adds an artistic dimension to the castle’s military architecture.
Centuries of History
The Castillo de Pedraza dates back to the 13th century and was substantially rebuilt in the 15th century, including its imposing keep, or torre del homenaje, during the period associated with the Dukes of Frías. The fortress is part of Pedraza’s walled medieval town. The castle also has a dynastic history: the sons of Francis I of France were imprisoned there from 1525 to 1529.
The grounds extend beyond the basic building, encompassing adjacent land and an esplanade overlooking the walled village of Pedraza. Framed by the San Miguel and Vadillo streams, the setting adds to the site’s appeal as a cultural tourism destination.
Pedraza’s Enduring Appeal
Declared a Conjunto Monumental in 1951, Pedraza is recognized as one of Castilla y León’s distinctive medieval towns. Its walled layout and cobbled streets, centered on the arcaded Plaza Mayor, have made it a destination for visitors seeking a historic escape near Madrid and Segovia.
The castle is also closely associated with the Conciertos de las Velas, an annual event during which the town is illuminated by thousands of candles and hosts open-air concerts on the first two Saturdays of July. The Fundación Villa de Pedraza has long promoted the concerts as a highlight of the local cultural calendar.
Segura, Mota, and Álvarez plan to establish the Castillo de Pedraza as a living cultural landmark. Teatrópolis has outlined summer programming that includes concerts and festivals, alongside other events, building on Pedraza’s existing cultural life and the Zuloaga family’s artistic legacy.
