The origins of Atienza go back to the pre-historic era. This medieval village conserves the urban structure and architectural flavour from the times when it was a strategic frontier site between the Christian and Muslim holdings. Its historic quarter has the Property of Cultural Interest designation.

The clearest detail of its military and frontier calling are the walls that surround it (11th-13th centuries) and the ruins of the castle (12th century), with its tribute tower, other towers and doors.

As far as religious architecture, parts of several Roman temples remain: Santísima Trinidad (1200, 15th - 18th centuries), San Bartolomé (mid-12th century-16th century), San Gil (13th-16th centuries) and Nuestra Señora del Val (12th-16th centuries). Other religious buildings include the Archpriest Church of San Juan (Gothic-Renaissance, 15th-16th centuries), the Santa María del Rey Church (16th century), and the San Francisco Convent (Gothic, late 14th century).

In civil architecture, the Cordón House (Gothic, 15th century) and the Santa Ana Hospital and Convent (18th century) stand out, as do several blazoned mansions from the 16th century.