The series premiered a few months ago by Alex de La Iglesia, “30 coins” has captivated many fans who follow the paranormal and strange phenomena that happen in the town of Pedraza. Its protagonists – the mayor of the town, a brave veterinarian and the parish priest – create a complex plot of inexplicable murders, supernatural beings and conspiracy that has hooked thousands of viewers. Without a doubt, it is one of the most successful Spanish series on the HBO platform . Among other locations in this intense thriller, those that appear the most in the series are popular enclaves of this medieval town, which are perfectly recognized in each frame. In today’s article we will tell you what can be done in Pedraza, the most famous Segovian town of the moment thanks to television.
An authentic medieval town in the XXI century
Pedraza is a beautiful walled town located just 127 kilometers from Madrid. It sits on top of a hill, and has a single narrow gate that allows residents and tourists to enter and exit. Most of Pedraza’s tourism is national, but it is becoming more and more known outside our borders for being the best-preserved medieval town in Spain .
A little history
Celts, Romans, Arabs and, finally, Catholic Christians, have inhabited this town throughout the centuries. In Pedraza, most of the historical vestiges of these civilizations have been lost, except those of the Christians of medieval times. In 1951, this town was declared a national monumental complex .
Today Australia and New Zealand are some of the largest exporters of merino wool in the world. However, during the 16th and 17th centuries, Pedraza was the Merino capital of the world . Raising Merino sheep for their high quality wool made this town extremely prosperous.
However, in the 18th century the situation worsened . As Spain’s social and financial situation collapsed, the unsustainable process of merino sheep farming left Pedraza with little grazing land and too much competition. Later, the merino wool industry in the area collapsed and the population began to leave the town.
Pedraza today
This beautiful town today has less than 340 inhabitants who work in hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and galleries in the area. In the town there are few establishments, which is not surprising considering that it only takes you about 20 minutes to walk from one point to another. In Pedraza, life is simple and quiet, and its main attraction is tourism, since it is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in our country, whose castle has become a must for all those tourists who pass through Segovia. .
The monuments of Pedraza (and their role in the series)
Despite its size, Pedraza has a lot of heritage to offer, and that is why many tourists visit it every year.
The main square
The town square is the main place where the life of the inhabitants takes place: it is an area of passage and meeting of its neighbors. Its cobbled pedestrian plaza, surrounded by old stone houses , has great appeal, and has been one of the key factors in the filming of the aforementioned “30 coins” series, as it provides a perfect rural air to the plot. In addition, it is one of the most beautiful locations in the series due to its natural beauty and its historical importance .
Pedraza Castle
Pedraza Castle is considered one of the oldest in Europe . The architectural complex has a large defense wall with gunboats and a tall tower. An interesting fact about this enclave of Pedraza is that its last owner was the painter Ignacio Zuloaga , who in 1926 bought the fortress to create his workshop, now open to the public.
The historical route of this castle has its beginnings centuries ago. This building was built in the 12th century on top of the rest of the other Roman and Arab fortifications. Something remarkable is its strategic location on a hill and the moat that surrounds it , creating a kind of precipice that functioned as a defense against future attacks. In the series, the castle has been the residence of Roque, the marquis who wants to make the main veterinarian fall in love.
Church of San Juan Bautista
The Pedraza church is a Romanesque style construction that has undergone several restorations due to its deteriorated state and weather conditions. In fact, one of the most interesting elements of this construction is the Romanesque tower with a double arch that stands out from the building. Inside there is a baptismal font from the 12th century and an organ from the 19th century .
However, the Pedraza church has not been part of the “30 coins” scene : in reality, the scenes that are supposedly shot in the church are recorded in the Castillo de Calatrava La Nueva, in the town of Aldea del Rey in Ciudad Real . The decision to record in another location was due to the fact that the Church of San Juan Bautista de Pedraza was not in a position to host the props for the series.
Stone houses
What stands out the most about Pedraza are its stone houses. As we stroll through its narrow streets, we move back in time. Although it is one of the towns that are part of emptied Spain , the only 340 inhabitants of this enclave have known how to take good care of and preserve this place that welcomes a large number of tourists a year.
In addition, many of these old houses have been restored to become restaurants, rural accommodation and other establishments where typical local cuisine is prepared, such as the beans from La Granja or the famous Segovian suckling pig .
Villa Jail
Another enclave that represents the medieval style very well is the Cárcel de la Villa, located at the entrance of the town . This tourist spot is open on weekends and admission only costs about 3 euros . It is a small, dark and scary building, as well as fascinating. If you visit it, you will undoubtedly leave feeling extremely grateful that you were not a criminal in medieval times.
The Night of the Candles
Pedraza is very popular for its Candle Night festival, a unique party where at night the town is filled with candles creating a unique atmosphere.
On the first and second Saturday of July, the town lights go out and the candles are lit inside each house and on the streets . Locals also decorate their patios and windows in an effort to light the entire town with candles.
