12 Feb, 2024 @ 13:00
1 min read

Must-visit: Town in Spain that is ‘identical to the Beauty and the Beast’ village goes viral

A TOWN in northern Spain has gone viral for being ‘identical to the Beauty and the Beast’. 

The city’s historic facades overlook the Arlanza river Photo: Ayuntamiento de Covarrubias

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At some point, everyone has wished they were in a Disney movie. 

From the glaciers of Arundel to the temples of imperialist China, there’s always enchanting scenery fit for a fairytale. 

If your favourite princess was the erudite Belle, you’re in luck. 

A town in northern Spain has been dubbed the country’s answer to ‘Beauty and the Beast’ by travel influencers. 

Covarrubias, Burgos, is ‘full of corners that will transport you’ to the film, with cobbled streets snaking through ramshackle buildings and historic monuments. 

Just one of Covarrubia’s enchanting alleys Photo: Ayuntamiento de Covarrubias

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The walled city has been inhabited since the paleolithic period and is home to one of Spain’s best preserved roman bridges. 

It was founded in 653 by a Visgoth king, where the San Cosme and San Damian churches now stand. 

Some 100 years later, the Moors destroyed the city and built its first defensive towers, eventually making Covarrubias front line of the reconquest of Spain. 

After Catholics had retaken hold of the Iberian peninsula, Covarrubias became the capital of Castille, a highly influential Spanish kingdom which reigned from 1065-1833. 

It is this period which has shaped the city’s legend.

In 1258, Kristina of Norway married Prince Felipe of Castille before moving to Sevilla. 

Unfortunately the princess, known for her beauty, died of heatstroke in the ‘frying pan of Spain’. 

Her body was subsequently moved to Covarrubias and today, singles from all over Europe visit her tomb, hoping for better luck in their dating lives. 

The facades of Covarrubias will transport you to Belle’s French village Photo: Ayuntamiento de Covarrubias

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There is also a festival dedicated to the princess, held in October with music, artisan crafts and theatre performances. 

The city is also home to a ‘Book Museum’, housed in Covarrubia’s archive. 

Nearby, there are two historic monasteries, Silos and San Pedro de Arlanza. 

They are found in the Lerma area, which is well known for its gastronomic offering, including the exquisite DO Arlanza wines. 

Adventurers can also follow the Arlanza river to discover the stunning countryside, found in the heart of the old Castille kingdom.

Yzabelle Bostyn

Yzabelle Bostyn is an NCTJ trained journalist who started her journalistic career at the Olive Press in 2023.
Before moving to Spain, she studied for a BA in English Literature and Hispanic Studies at the University of Sheffield.
After graduating she moved to the university’s journalism department, one of the best in the UK.
Throughout the past few years, she has taken on many roles including social media marketing, copywriting and radio presenting.
She then took a year out to travel Latin America, scaling volcanoes in Guatemala and swimming with sharks in Belize.
Then, she came to the Olive Press last year where she has honed her travel writing skills and reported on many fantastic experiences such as the Al Andalus luxury train.
She has also undertaken many investigations, looking into complex issues like Spain’s rental crisis and rising cancer rates.
Always willing to help, she has exposed many frauds and scams, working alongside victims to achieve justice.
She is most proud of her work on Nolotil, a drug linked to the deaths of many Brits in Spain.
A campaign launched by Yzabelle has received considerable support and her coverage has been by the UK and Spanish media alike.
Her writing has featured on many UK news outlets from the Sun to the Mail Online, who contracted her to report for them in Tenerife on growing tourism issues.
Recently, she has appeared on Times Radio covering deadly flooding in Valencia.

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