Chapter 8 - The geographical environment of Spain’s Paradores: values, changes and conflicts

Abstract

Between 1928 and 2013 the Spanish state opened 125 hotels of different kinds for tourists, reusing historic buildings, at least partially, in 47% of the cases (Rodríguez Pérez, 2013: 199). Subtracting those which have disappeared or been privatised, 95 remain in what is today the «Red Nacional de Paradores de Turismo» (National Network of Tourism Paradores). The principal source of information concerning these hotels comes from the aforementioned organisation, along with research of a general nature on the historical (Romero Samper, 2003) and architectural (Vadillo Lobo, 2001; Ulled Merino, 2004, 2005; Rodríguez Pérez, 2013) aspects, as well as those pertaining to their touristic activity (Cupeiro López, 2010). The most recent of these works provides an urban analysis, while twenty years ago, Tejerina Fernández (1993, quoted by Rodríguez Pérez, 2013, p. 74) proposed the first geographical classification according to the location of the different hotels. What is certain is that an in-depth analysis from the geographical point of view is still pending. Geography is a science that considers the paradores to be irrevocably linked to their urban or rural environment so, with this idea in mind, the aim of this research is to gain a better knowledge of the relation between the paradores and their geographical location, where considerable changes have taken place over the last 25 years. To do so, a dual approach is used; that of the immediate surroundings, only some 300 metres, and exceptionally a larger area, but never larger than 500 metres. This radius is sufficient for an integral observation of the urban fabric, the public spaces and the buildings, in order to evaluate the interventions carried out and make a diagnosis concerning the processes, negative tendencies and needs. Special emphasis is put on the identification of any impact that could be prejudicial to the centres in the network, since the final aim of the study is to contribute to a better knowledge and planning of the framework within which they are set.