The name Ciudad Rodrigo honors Count Rodrigo González, who established the town in the 12th century after a Moorish invasion. In time, the town also served as a fortress to launch various expeditions against Portugal.

It was not until the early 19th century that Ciudad Rodrigo’s greatest moment arrived. The castle was a battle site between the armies of Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War, which raged on for five years and left much of the country in ruins. In 1810 the French Marshal Ney besieged the castle and finally captured it. Wellington’s armies retreated to Lisbon where, in turn, the French forces were defeated. In 1812 the Duke of Wellington moved an offensive counterattack on Spain. Ciudad Rodrigo was one of the first towns to be secured by the British and became a turning point in the war. For his efforts, the titles of duke of Ciudad Rodrigo and grandee of Spain were conferred on Wellington by the grateful Spanish.

Pamela’s Perspective

Ciudad Rodrigo is a charming, well-preserved medieval town strategically placed on the Agueda River. An ancient Roman bridge crosses the river toward the Portuguese border, which is just a short distance away. Situated on a small hill, the town was once defended by the square tower dominating the 14th-century alcázar and by the ramparts surrounding the town.

The charm of Ciudad Rodrigo is found chiefly in its narrow streets and in the courtyards of the old baronial mansions. You can circle the town by walking on the ramparts.