De lo inexpugnable a lo accesible: correlación entre valores patrimoniales y turismo en los castillos de la Red de Paradores

Abstract

Entre las señaladas acciones estatales en conservación del patrimonio y gestión del turismo destaca, en España, la larga trayectoria —desde 1928— de la “Red de Paradores”. La idea de “accesibilidad” cobró un significado especial en los edificios rehabilitados para uso hotelero, donde tipos arquitectónicos diferentes fueron radicalmente transformados. El caso de los castillos interesa por cuanto plantea dificultades de compatibilizar el concepto inicial de inexpugnabilidad con la accesibilidad hotelera; sin embargo, presenta particular atractivo al permitir el acercamiento secuencial al monumento, precisamente por la dificultad del acceso.

One of the most relevant Spanish governmental actions regarding heritage conservation and tourism management is the “Paradores” network, which has a long trajectory —since its foundation in 1928— in the re-use of buildings. The idea of “accessibility” acquired a special meaning in those historical buildings which were restructured to be used as hotels. To this end, many very different architectural types were drastically transformed. In this sense, castles pose some difficulties to conciliate the initial concept of total impregnability to that of hostelry accessibility. However, they are particularly attractive since they enable a sequential approach to monuments especially due to their difficult access.