We are FCC - Nº18

the rehabilitation of the south patio have been fitted out, without renoun - cing the historical monumentality of the main building. A refuge and temple for pilgrims The Hostal de San Marcos, which already exudes a particular eclecti - cism due to the fusion of all its com - ponents and Plateresque, Mudejar, Flamboyant, Lombard and Tuscan ornaments, typical of the historical moment in which its foundations were built, demonstrates the power of the Spanish empire of the time and merges with the modern and minimalist structures included in its renovation. Its updating has been carried out under the premise of transforming it into a space charac - terized by the best standards of the 21st century, turning it not only into a lodging, but also a museum, since it also houses the Archaeological Mu - seum of the town, carrying out in turn the restoration of valuable works of art that were already in the complex, such as the wooden ceiling of Lucio Muñoz that crowns the atrium; or the coffered ceiling of the 16th century of the Chapter House. Declared an Asset of Cultural Inte - rest with the category of monument since 1845, it is located within the area that encompasses the historical complex of the French Camino de Santiago, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993. Therefo - re, the Parador de San Marcos will continue to fulfill its initial function, among others, to accommodate all those who are preparing to make the Camino de Santiago. A great history dating back to the Middle Ages The lives of the Parador de San Marcos have been many to date. The beginning of its activity dates back to the Middle Ages, specifica - lly the twelfth century, when it was conceived as a small convent, also serving as a hospital for pilgrims and parishioners, while it was intended as the main residence of the Order of Santiago in the Kingdom of León. Centuries later, it was demolished and in 1514, Ferdinand the Catholic gave way to a new work, with the architects Juan de Orozco, Martin de Villareal and Juan de Badajoz el Mozo as the main designers of both interiors and exteriors, in which the sculptors, including Guillen Doncel and Juan de Juni, also left their mark. The beginnings of the Spanish Re - naissance style are palpable in its imposing main façade, the most sug - gestive and, for sure, the most photo - graphed part of the historical, artistic and cultural complex, where, today, you can enjoy a fabulous stay with all the comforts and the essence of se - ven centuries of history, The culinary space with the Segovian chef Agapi - to Cristóbal and his team at the helm of the stoves, which offers a traditio - nal menu with a variety of creative and innovative dishes, based on lo - cal products, such as jerky and black pudding, or beef from Riaño. The village had to wait until the arri - val of Charles I of Spain to lay the first stone of its foundations. First, the only canvas of the main faca - de with a wall of two bodies on two floors, with its sculptures and ara - besques, until reaching the large church and sacristy, leaving aside a break in the works of almost four de - cades, but not before being conse - crated as a religious temple in 1541. It was not until 1679 that the cloister was completed, although shortly af - ter, around 1711, it would undergo an extension that would be finished off in 1715 with another canvas from the main entrance to the river, as well as T H E P L A C E 52