Medieval villages near Madrid

The Medieval villages near Madrid are less famous than others like Alcalá de Henares o Aranjuez, genuinely Renaissance or Neoclassical. However, even the capital itself has its roots in the Middle Ages. Remains of two Visigoth necropolises have been found in the vicinity of the House.

Both confirm the theory that there was already a stable population in the area. More documented is the Muslim Madrid, whose first written news is due to the Cordoba chronicler Ibn Hayyan (987-1075), who also cites an earlier author named Al-Razi. You can even see remains of it, such as the wall. But in this article we are not going to talk about the capital at that time, but about medieval towns near Madrid.

Torrelaguna

You will find this beautiful villa in the Sierra Norte region, about sixty kilometers from Madrid and in the heart of the Jarama Valley. As a curiosity, we will tell you that it was the town where the Cardinal Cisneros, a key character in the Spain of the Catholic MonarchsIn this case, it is not only a medieval village, but one that dates back much further. Archaeological remains show that the area was already inhabited in the time of the Celtiberians.

In any case, it is one of the most beautiful medieval villages near Madrid. In fact, it is listed as Historic Artistic SetYou can still see the remains of its wall, built between the 10th and 11th centuries. But more spectacular are its religious monuments, including the Abbey of the Conceptionist Mothers, with its chapel with a Plateresque façade, and the Hermitage of Our Lady of Solitude, which is Gothic from the 14th century, although a later reform added Baroque elements.

However, the jewel of Torrelaguna is the church of the madeleine, also Gothic and located in the typical Plaza Mayor. Built in the 15th century, it has a basilica plan and three naves. Inside you can see spectacular baroque and plateresque altarpieces. On the other hand, the Mayor is from the 18th century, responds to the Churrigueresque style and is attributed to Daffodil Tome. You still have another surprise in this temple: you will find in it the tomb of the Cordoban poet Juan de Mena (1411-1456).

As for the civil heritage of Torrelaguna, you have to visit the Town Hall, which was the old grain store and dates back to the 16th century. Also noteworthy is the Alhondiga or old market and, above all, the salinas palace, a Renaissance wonder attributed to the Gil de Hontañón.

Manzanares el Real

Located in the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, has within its municipal area such spectacular places as the Santillana reservoir and the granite complex of The Pedriza. In addition, it is included in the Route through the Castles, Fortresses and Watchtowers of the Community of Madrid.

This is because its great symbol, which makes it one of the medieval towns near Madrid par excellence, is the imposing Mendoza castle. Built from 1475, it stands out for the four towers at its vertices and the barbican that surrounds it. Inside it has a porticoed courtyard with Gothic features and six floors. It also houses a museum of Spanish castles.

But it is not the only fortress in Manzanares el Real. You can also see the remains of the so-called old castle, which responds to the Mudejar style. As for religious monuments, you have to see the church of Our Lady of the SnowsIt was built between the 15th and 16th centuries and combines Romanesque and Gothic features. However, its beautiful portico with eight basket-shaped arches and another semicircular arch is Renaissance.

La Hermitage of Our Lady of the Peña Sacra, located on the top of the mountain of the same name, completes the monumental heritage of this town. It also dates back to the 16th century, although other buildings were added in the 17th century. In honour of this Virgin, a pilgrimage is held every year in the surroundings of her temple.

Chinchón, another of the most beautiful medieval villages near Madrid

Located in the las vegas county and, in a broader sense, in that of The Alcarria, this villa has one of the most famous main squares in Spain. Not in vain, it is one of the most successful examples of a Castilian porticoed square that you can visit. It is framed by houses built between the 15th and 17th centuries that stand out for their wooden balconies. Its peculiar shape has allowed it to be given different uses. Among them, those of a comedy corral and a bullring.

But it is not the only wonder that you should visit in Chinchón. In fact, this village is also Historic Artistic Set since 1974. The castle of the counts It was built in the 15th century, although it had to be rebuilt in the 16th century, and is in the Renaissance style. Also from the 15th century is the castle of casasol, which was Gothic and of which only remains remain.

For its part, the church of Our Lady of the Assumption It was built between 1534 and 1656. This jewel combines Gothic, Renaissance, Plateresque and Baroque styles. Take a look at the main altarpiece. In the centre, you will see a painting of the Assumption of the Virgin by Francisco de Goya.

The Convents of the Poor Clares and of St. Augustine (today, a tourist inn), as well as the Clock Tower, remains of the old church of Our Lady of Grace, complete the monumental heritage of Chinchón.

Talamanca de Jarama

It is a unique locality among the medieval towns near Madrid for its urban complex. It is the southernmost point to which Castilian Romanesque reaches and the northernmost with Toledo Mudejar within the territory of Madrid. It is also integrated into the beautiful natural region of the Henares countryside.

In Talamanca you have a set of very interesting bridges. The of the Five Eyes, with lowered segmental arches, is of Roman origin and is declared A Cultural. For its part, the so-called New It dates back to the 18th century and is located between the Tostonera gate, which gives access to the old town through the wall, and the eighteenth-century wineries of La Cartuja. In turn, the Town Hall It dates back to the 17th century and was the former stables of the Duke of Osuna.

As for the religious monuments of Talamanca, you have to visit the church of San Juan Bautista, which has a magnificent Romanesque apse. You should also look at its set of carvings on capitals, corbels and metopes. The baptismal font inside is also Romanesque and its plasterwork is Mudejar.

In turn, the Abyss of Miracles, also known as El Morabito, is a vestige of an ancient Romanesque-Mudejar church. The Hermitage of Solitude It is baroque and the Talamanca de Jarama Charterhouse It dates back to the 17th century and is a Site of Cultural Interest.

Buitrago de Lozoya, a perfect medieval village near Madrid

Among the medieval villages near Madrid, Buitrago del Lozoya is one of the most beautiful and spectacular. It preserves its walled enclosure, which is surrounded by the Lozoya River itself, and many other monuments that give it a genuine medieval feel. The town's wall is of Muslim origin and dates back to the 11th century, although it has undergone subsequent reforms. It consists of two elements: the low parapet and the high parapetThe latter is the most spectacular, as it has towers, a barbican, a moat, a coracha and even a watchtower or free-standing tower.

Along with it, the other great medieval symbol of Buitrago is the castle or fortress, which was built in the 15th century in Gothic and Mudejar styles. In fact, its Arab influence is clear and it has a rectangular floor plan with a courtyard in the centre and towers at the corners. As a curiosity, we will tell you that a man lived there Juana la Beltraneja, daughter of Henry IV and rival of Isabel the Catholic for the throne of Castile, against which he maintained a civil war.

Not to be missed, there is even a medieval bridge in Buitrago. It is the so-called Arrabal bridge and dates back to the end of the 14th century. Later is the Forest House, as it was built in the 17th century for the comfort of the Dukes of Infantado. Both are quite deteriorated.

The best aspect is presented by the church of Santa María del Castillo, whose construction was completed in 1321. It combines the flamboyant Gothic style of its main entrance and the Mudejar style of its slender tower. The interior of the temple has also been restored in the Neo-Mudejar style and even the beautiful coffered ceiling of the San Salvador hospital has been added.

Finally, you will be surprised to find in Buitrago a museum dedicated to Picasso. It is due to the Buitraguense Eugenio Arias Herranz, a hairdresser and personal friend of the painter. It exhibits around sixty works that the genius from Malaga gave to him and admission is free.

Patones de Arriba

We end our tour of the medieval villages near Madrid in this town located in the northeast of the province. It is a perfect example of the so-called black architecture of the area. That is, the one that uses slate as the main construction element for houses. It occurs mainly in the Sierra de Ayllón, reaching the provinces of Guadalajara, Segovia and, precisely, Madrid.

Due to this uniqueness, the town of Patones has been declared A CulturalBut the history of the town is much older. This is proven by the pre-Roman site of Castro of the Dehesa de la Oliva. You will also find in the municipal area the Pontón de la Oliva dam and, above all, the Reguerillo cave, which has enormous scientific and speleological value.

Finally, regarding the religious monuments of Patones de Arriba, you have to visit the church of San José which was built in the 17th century and is currently used for exhibitions. And also the hermitage of the Virgin of the Olive, built around the 12th century, which combines Romanesque and Mudejar styles.

In conclusion, we have presented you some of the most beautiful Medieval villages near Madrid. But we could mention others like The Hiruela, Rascafría o Villarejo de Salvanés. Come and discover these beautiful towns in the autonomous community of Madrid and enjoy everything they have to offer.