This village is of great historical and monumental interest. The town’s most splendid buildings date from the 15th and 17th centuries. During that time, buildings were constructed which are of great artistic value today. The annual festivals are held on August 15th in honor of the town’s patron saint, the Virgen del Favor y Ayuda, and on September 14th in honor of the Santísimo Cristo de la Expiración.
MONUMENTS AND MUSEUMS:
- The original Parish Church of San Pedro Apostol dates back to the 13th century, although the current building is a bit more modern (16th-17th centuries), overwhelmingly late-Gothic and Renaissance in style. There are three naves of equal height. The central barrel vault is flanked by half-circle domes. To the right of the chancel the Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is located (16th century). The church was declared a National Monument in 1931. Visits: from tuesday to saturday, 11 am-1pm. From tuesday to sundays 4 pm to 6 pm: de martes a sábados de 11:00 a 13:00. De martes a domingos de 16:00 a 18:00. Contact: 650 51 87 44, + 34 967 16 86 20
- The Palatial House of Don Gil Ramírez Arellano, knight of the Order of Santiago. Time has left its mark, leaving us with nothing more than the façade. It was acquired by the Town Hall, restored and conserved, and today this building houses administrative and cultural offices, such as the Town Hall, library and social center.
- The University was built by Don Diego Ramírez with the intention of housing students from the eastern and southern areas of Spain, in an effort to avoid losing them to the University of Salamanca. When Cardinal Cisberos opened his University at Alcalá de Henares, work on this building was abandoned.
- The Roman Fountain and Public Wash House are of great social importance, as their water supply was provided by the neighborhood as a whole. The fountain is equipped with a pipe so that water would flow to the wash house. Run-off water was directed to the gardens. The Public Wash House was reconstructed in 1997.
- The Ancient Granary is located in the town square. It was founded in the 16th century by Don Diego Ramírez. The Casa de Haro coat of arms can be seen on the building’s main façade.
- The Church and Convent of the Jesuits was built in the mid-16th century on the orders of Antonio Ramírez de Haro, Bishop of Segovia. Mass is still held here.
- The ruins of the Convent of Los Dominico, or of Santo Cruz, was built in the beginning of the 16th century on the orders of Don Sebastián Ramírez de Fuenleal. The remains of the church are notable for the Pre-Renaissance entryway, triumphal arch crowned by a vaulted niche, and coats of arms trimmed with garlands.
- Ancient municipal bakery and butcher’s shop from the 14th century.
- House of Luis Astrana Marín, a brilliant researcher who was born in this town. Author of novels, essays and plays. His most important work was “The Exemplary and Heroic Life of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra.”
- Remains of Windmills, located on a hillside which bears their name. Originally used for grinding wheat and barley.
- De Haro Castle is found about 12 km from town, heading toward Cuenca. It dates from the 15th and 16th centuries and features a Medieval design with a square floor plan and towers on each corner.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
- Town Hall: (0034) 967 168 566
- Tour Guides: (0034) 650 518 744
- Civil Guard: (0034) 967 187 565
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