Viewpoint and monument to Jorge Manrique

Next to the Puerta Nueva, one of the entrances to the walled enclosure of Segura de la Sierra and which is adjoining the town hall, you can find both the monument to Jorge Manrique, and viewpoint that bears his name.

The statue, the work of the renowned sculptor Don Miguel Fuentes del Olmo, represents the illustrious writer in his two main facets: that of a man-at-arms, wearing a warlike dress and with his right hand on a dagger; and that of a writer, who, calmly, holds and reads a book in his left hand. Therefore, an excellent way to illustrate the warrior poet.

At the foot of the statue, a plaque reads: “Segura de la Sierra to its most illustrious son,” Jorge Manrique. Year MCMIC.

The statue invites you to enjoy the great views offered by the Jorge Manrique viewpoint, with the help of an orientation map where the visitor can identify the different landscapes that he has before his eyes: the Trujala river, Cerro del Pavo, Puerta de Segura , etc.

Undoubtedly, a space where you can enjoy reading any work by Jorge Manrique, contemplating the same landscape that the poet must have glimpsed centuries ago.

Jorge Manrique’s family house

After visiting the viewpoint, you have to go to the house where Jorge Manrique was born, which you will find just a few steps away.

Although it is not documented that Jorge Manrique was born in that house (it is thought that in the case of being born in Segura de la Sierra, the option is that he most likely was born in the castle), it was the home of the Manrique family.

In front of the house, take look at its façade, which still preserves the coat of arms of the Feria House (after Mencía de Figueroa, his mother), which shows that it was the property of the Manrique family.

The building belongs to the civil architecture of the 16th century and on its façade there is a semicircular arch decorated with plant motifs, flanked by carved pilasters and complemented by small Ionic columns.

Behind a cornice, in the upper area, the noble coat of arms of the Figueroa family was carved in stone -in gold field, five sinople fig leaves placed in sotuer-, maternal family of Jorge Manrique, together with a Cross of Santiago , which denoted the connection with the order issued by Rodrigo Manrique.

XXV

Now Don Rodrigo was

Much loved by people for

His rectitude;

The master was renowned

Castle of Segura de la Sierra (Interpretation space of…

The Castle of Segura de la Sierra is undoubtedly one of the main cultural attractions, not only of Segura, but of the entire environment, with portentous panoramic views of the entire mountain range.

The castle was built between the 13th and 14th centuries to defend the order of Segura, by the Order of Santiago (it became the residence of the Grand Master of this Order), over the bases of previous defensive and palatial constructions (in the 8th century there was already a fortification that protected the Saqura farmhouse, from whose time the archaeological remains of the Arab Baths are preserved).

Structurally, it consists of two differentiated enclosures: the castle, defended by five towers, including the marvelous donjon, where Jorge Manrique’s interpretation centre is currently located; and the outer enclosure, built in masonry and that has two wells dug into the rock and an upper barbican that gives access to the main door.

The Castle consists of several themed spaces, providing a recreation of medieval trades in the parade ground; the interpretive environments related to the Order of Santiago are located in the chapel and the first and second floors of the donjon; finally, you can find the interpretive space on Jorge Manrique on the third floor of the donjon.

This interpretation space consists of several exhibition scenes of the warrior poet’s family environment, ranging from sounding reminiscences recreating the conversation that Jorge Manrique has with his father, Don Rodrigo, on the stage of the Verses on the Death of his Father, as well as other interpretive speeches more linked to the artist’s poetic work.

After visiting Jorge Manrique’s interpretive centre, you might want to climb the battlements of the donjon and shudder at the spectacular views it offers: the Yelmo, with its more than 1,800 meters of altitude and symbol of the Sierra de Segura; Segura La Vieja (Iberian town), the Cerro de Góntar, the Peñalta viewpoint and thus an endless number of landmarks that, together with a relaxed reading of Manrique’s poetry, will create an emotional state that will connect you forever with Segura de la Sierra .