European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 24, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A Haift hold room is a Fame Story and photos by Tony Nauroth staff writer had just crossed the Jucar River on Spanish National route 3 As it crossed the dam that holds Back the 20-mile Long Alarcon Reservoir. Another mile or so 110 Miles Southeast of Madrid and i spotted the sign directing me to the National Paradox at Alarcon. I noticed on the map that the Road came to a dead end not far from the main route. As i crested a Small Rise the scene before me took my breath away. Seated in the Center of a Panorama of red Sandstone dotted with Gray Green scrub Brush was a Block Castle with a Cren elated Cap a three Star hotel in a 1,000 year old Silhouette. It looked As if it sat on the same level As my approach. It did. But As i Drew nearer i saw that it also did not. Between what appeared to be an easy approach and the Castle the Jucar River Cut a great Horseshoe Gorge which encircled the Castle and the town of Alarcon. The Only approach was along the top of a thin rib of land just wide enough to accommodate the Width of a car. It was about half a mile Long and was topped with three Gates each with a lesser Castle Tower attending to the Security of its past. The Road through the Gates climbed into town and doubled Back to the Castle Entrance and Large parking lot where i saw a line of old Spanish men sitting with a dog in the late afternoon Sun. It was about a two minute walk across the drawbridge under which a children s playground had been built in the dry Moat. The Entrance led on to a Breezy courtyard Cool and pleasant. Under a Small Grove of Trees comfortable looking guests read papers and sipped sodas. The reception office was up the first flight of stairs and at the base of the Tower. A Mezzanine parapet gave Access to it. As they say there was no room at the inn and i found later that it s Best to make reservations before simply dropping in. Paradoxes Are extremely popular retreats. I was in Luck though. The manager did have a Small room in the Tower Dungeon but Only for one night. Visitors normally spend More than one night at a Paradox he told me. It s a place of style not of one night stands. You go there to be there not As a Way station to somewhere else. And quarters there were particularly cramped. I later discovered that this Paradox had Only 10 double rooms and my single Tower room. After finding a place for my stuff in the room i followed the circular staircase to the top of the Castle where it s possible to see the North end of the Alarcon Reservoir. The hot breath of the Spanish Central Plains contrasted with the Cool Damp courtyard below. The battlements at the top resemble those of the Castle in the wizard of of during the last scene when Dorothy and her travelling companions were trapped by the wicked Witch s henchmen a romantic notion. But this Castle s Fame is based in the reality of the a View of the Marques de Villena Castle greets the Paradox Hopper As he passes through the fortifications protecting Alarcon. Leather Wood and Rock surround the visitor who relaxes in the great Hall of the Castle top photo. Historic struggle Between Christian and moorish forces. During a nine month siege in 1184, a daring plan saw the Soldier Hernan Martinez de Cevallos scale these Walls using a pair of daggers. He was Able to let his fellow soldiers in thus throwing the moors out for the last time. I looked Over the Edge of the Wall to the River and the dots that i assumed were people fishing. I made a note not to buy souvenir daggers in town and returned to my Dungeon room. Heavy Oak doors with Deadbolt locks swung ponderously into my Small simply furnished but brightly lit quarters. A window installed in the 2 foot thick Wall opened onto a dizzying Panorama of a Small Lake almost 600 feet below. The bathroom had All the modern conveniences which made me wonder How the electricians Ever got the wires through the Stone Walls. I did t even want to think about the plumbing. I had evidence of the Spanish government s care to add modern convenience to historic settings without breaking the setting. Downstairs a huge vaulted Hall garnished with Spanish Knight paraphernalia heavy chandeliers continued on Page 8 april 24,1986 stripes Magazine