Torrelaguna

Beginning to build itself in the early years of the fifteenth century would be in the times of Cardinal Cisneros when they finished their work.

At the foot of the temple and attached to the north wall, stands the church tower; and, next to it, the main door is placed, divided in three streets separated by buttresses. The lateral spans are pointed and the central one is a carpanel arch. The decorative theme represents the Imposition of the Chasuble to San Ildefonso.

A large baroque altarpiece from the second third of the 18th century, of churrigueresque type, attributed to Narciso Tomé, in gold and polychrome wood supported on a stone base presides the interior of the Temple. In the central street, a large hornacina houses the sculpture of penitent Mary Magdalene, made by Luis Salvador Carmona in the second third of the eighteenth century. In the lateral streets two other niches are opened where the images of San Isidro Labrador and of Santa Maria de la Cabeza rest, natural this one of Torrelaguna.

Inside it is worth stopping to contemplate the Christ of Cisneros, donated by the Catholic Monarchs, and the remains of the poet Juan de Mena. Also the five chapels on the sides of the church: baptismal (16th century), Assumption (17th century), San Gregorio (16th century), Annunciation (16th century) and San Felipe (17th century) ).

The visitor can leave the Temple by the southern portal known as 'the Resurrection or the Passover', with a pointed arch framed by a larger one with a conopial finish and decoration of florets and flaming geometric motifs reflecting the theme of the appearance of the Risen Christ to the Magdalena, although its iconography is very deteriorated.

An outstanding example of this ancient splendor is its Plaza Mayor. The visitor will be able to access it through the remains of the old wall by the arch of San Bartolomé or the door of the Sun. Another interesting option is the gate of Buitrago that crosses the street of the Star to, leaving to the side the Alhóndiga, to end in her.

The Plaza Mayor gathers some of the most outstanding buildings of Torrelaguna such as the Town Hall, presided over by the cardinalicio shield of Cisneros, who founded it in 1514 to serve as a warehouse or grain store. There is also the church of Santa Maria Magdalena, Gothic style with Renaissance details, basilical plant of three naves, gothic cross vault and campanile tower of the fifteenth century in three bodies with a spire. Another outstanding building is the Abbey of Franciscan Discalced Conceptionists, founded by Hernando Bernaldo de Quirós and his wife around 1560, who rest in its interior. Finally, in the square you can see the Cross of Cisneros, built in 1802 on the place where the house where the Cardinal was born.

Gonzalo Jiménez de Cisneros was born around 1436 in Torrelaguna. In 1484 he became a friar of the Franciscan Observance. From 1492 he began to hold important positions as the royal confessor of Queen Isabella the Catholic, archbishop of Toledo, inquisitor general of Castile and regent of Spain to the death of King Ferdinand the Catholic. He died at Roa in 1517, when he was to meet the future King Charles, leaving innumerable examples of his connection with Torrelaguna; some of which are perfectly visible in the Plaza Mayor.

Presided over by Cardinal Cisneros’ coat of arms, he founded it in 1514 to be used as a granary or grain silo. The construction reflects Renaissance elements in addition to including a few Gothic elements such as the entrance door. The inside of the rectangular building with a gabled roof has been completely modified. Besides a granary, the building has been used for different purposes: the town council building, a primary school, a library and a telegraph station. It currently holds the Town Hall offices.

Built in 1802, it’s located right where the Cardinal’s birthplace home once stood. Cardinal Cisneros made many contributions to his birthplace Villa. Worth mentioning are his contributions to the construction of the parish church, the foundation of a hospital, the water supply, the Franciscan convent of the Mother of God, and the granary, as well as charitable works and generous patronage.

El esplendor civil de la villa se manifiesta en edificios como el Palacio de Salinas, el Palacio de Arteaga o la Casa de los Vargas. Estas construcciones, con sus escudos heráldicos y patios interiores, muestran la pujanza de la nobleza local y la burguesía que floreció bajo el amparo de la corte y la iglesia.

The Alhóndiga was built between the XIV and XV centuries as a market of supplies in the center of the old town of Torrelaguna. After the construction of the deposit and the transfer of the purchase of grain to the Plaza Mayor, it was transformed into a storehouse or salt store. For centuries, salt was the main preservative and ingredient of our more traditional dishes.

The building, with a rectangular shape and two bodies, is made of wood framing over sillarejo walls, all covered by lime and mortar lining, now painted to the old custom. Its interior consisted of small storage rooms that looked out onto a covered patio, perimetered by wooden struts with a corridor on the upper floor, where the storage was counted. The wooden gates that close the entrance maintain different elements of different influence and are a reflection of the popular craftsmanship of the XIV to XVI centuries.

The most characteristic element of this building is the massive body that floats over its walls, supporting the upper roof of Arab tile and all the viguería of the upper floor.

Converted in a restaurant, this has become a benchmark of traditional and creative cuisine in Madrid.

The convent was founded circa 1560 by Hernando Bernaldo de Quirós and his wife, who lay to rest inside. Its origins date back to the Council of Trent era when it was under the Order of Santa Beatriz de Silva. There is almost nothing left of the primitive structure because it was heavily damaged by a bomb during the Civil War. It was rebuilt circa 1960 by the Spanish National Patronage for Devastated Regions. The only outstanding aspect of the entire complex is the chapel with a 17th century altarpiece featuring the Immaculate Conception, the work of sculptor Michael Tomas.

En la pared lateral del Polideportivo (la que da a la calle Camino del Molino de Aceite),  se encuentra esta joya, cuyo diseño está basado en una interpretación del milagro de Santa María de la Cabeza, esposa de San Isidro Labrador y uno de los personajes clave de la historia de nuestra Villa.  Este mural formal de Román Linacero forma parte del proyecto Paredes que Hablan gracias al cual cada municipio de la Sierra Norte cuenta con una obra de arte mural que no te dejarán indiferente.

You can get to this structure situated over a promontory via the road to El Berrueco. It is part of a group of six watchtowers built by the Muslims in the 9th and 10th centuries and in Vega del Jarama to protect Toledo. It’s a circular watch tower with an outside perimeter of 19 metres and an approximate height of 12 to 13 metres originally although it is now a bit shorter. It is built with rows of irregular masonry and mortar mixed with stone to fill the walls. The inside is divided into three floors. Danger was communicated between the watch towers through camp fires which quickly warned the people and the main area, Talamanca.

It is not clear exactly when construction of the wall began. Some historical sources date it back to the medieval era either of Muslim origin or a result of the Reconquest. One thing is sure though and that is the fact that part of it was begun prior to 1390, possibly taking advantage of some type of previous defensive system. Construction ended in the early 15th century. The wall remained intact until at least the 17th century as reflected in a 1629 engraving. Perhaps all the destruction from the War of Independence began its deterioration, which subsequently increased meaning only some remains may be recognized nowadays yet enough to rebuild the original layout.

In addition to admiring the urban area, it is worth taking a walk through neighborhoods such as La Redondilla which features a lovely hundred-year-old pine tree. Leaving the walled grounds through the Berrueco gate and crossing the Matachivos stream over one of the medieval bridges, you’ll come to the neighbourhood of Arrabal. It grew around the so-called Fuente Gorda or Hontanilla, a watering hole for transhumant cattle with steep, narrow streets that have maintained their charm over the centuries.

La Puerta de Montalbán, also known as Arco del Coso or de San Bartolomé, is located in the square with the same name. It’s made of stone and brick and comprised of two bodies: the upper one, the current headquarters of the «Manuel Vidrié» bullfighting club; and the lower one or the actual arch which is formed by two openings. It was built in the early 20th century to annex the neighbourhood outside the walls yet maintaining the aesthetic identity of the wall construction elements and doorways.

It was built as a primary school in 1915 in accordance with instructions left in 1860 in the will of Mr Juan Manuel Montalbán, the Dean of the Central University of Madrid. The original use was maintained until the construction of new schools. It is now a ceremonial hall and multi-purpose venue. Since 2011 and following the remodelling work done by the Town, it now houses the “Juan de Mena” municipal library.

Inaugurated in 1905, it was initially a charity foundation working to teach poor children as promoted by Queen Isabel II and her husband, Francisco de Asís. It was financed with the legacy of the Montalbán brothers who chose to be buried inside.

It’s comprised of a Neogothic style church, convent house, classrooms and a residence. The church has a single nave which is covered with cross vaults. Standing out on the inside are the choir at the foot of the temple and the semi-hexagonal apse-shaped headboard.
The amazing bell gable and linteled doorway stand out on the outside. With a rose window and bell gable, the facade was recently restored.

When visiting Torrelaguna, it’s well worth the time to walk to the larger chapel. The current Baroque style building, with a Latin cross floor plan and a single masonry nave made of stone and brick, was erected in different phases starting in the 16th century. That was when the rest of the transept was built. The Virgin's dressing room was built in the 18th century and it’s located behind the presbytery, decorated with a painted vault. Stored inside are the different saints the locals carry in procession such as the Laying Christ, a 16th century gem.

Sumérgete en la historia viva de la Villa de Torrelaguna comenzando tu aventura en el corazón de su Plaza Mayor. El punto de partida ideal es su Oficina de Turismo, donde descubrirás que cada rincón de este municipio tiene una historia que contar. Allí recibirás todos los detalles para explorar su impresionante legado, desde la majestuosidad de sus edificios civiles y religiosos hasta los ecos medievales que aún resuenan en los restos de su antigua muralla.

Si levantas la vista hacia los cerros que abrazan la población, podrás seguir el rastro de las antiguas atalayas de origen árabe, como la emblemática Atalaya de Arrebatacapas, que antaño vigilaban estas tierras. Para quienes prefieren una experiencia más profunda y enriquecedora, nada supera el reservar una visita guiada por la Villa o adentrarse en los secretos arquitectónicos de la Iglesia de Santa María de la Magdalena.

Pásate por la Plaza Mayor, 8, o asómate a su web oficial para diseñar una escapada perfecta donde la cultura y el patrimonio se dan la mano.

The old Hospital de la Santísima Trinidad, now the Casa de la Cultura cultural centre has a complete and interesting history. It is believed to have been a mosque in the 10th century under Muslim rule yet a synagogue following the Christian reconquest in the 11th century and a benefactory hospital founded by the Bernardo de Quirós family in the 15th century. The building was used as such with a few interruptions up to 1967, the year in which it closed as a hospital. It remained abandoned until the Town Council converted it into a cultural centre at the end of the 20th century.

Explora la Sierra Norte a lomos de un caballo en Finca Equilibrium. Ubicados en la histórica Villa de Torrelaguna y a un paso de la capital, te ofrecemos la escapada perfecta para desconectar.

Si buscas qué hacer en Madrid, la Sierra Norte es tu destino ideal: desde turismo activo y rutas familiares hasta delicias gastronómicas y rincones de paz para meditar. Descubre el lado más auténtico y cultural de nuestra sierra.

Información y reservas.

Sumergirse en el calendario de fiestas y eventos de Torrelaguna es la mejor forma de conectar con el alma de una villa que ha sabido preservar sus tradiciones a lo largo de los siglos. La vida festiva de la localidad tiene su punto álgido el primer fin de semana de septiembre con las Fiestas Patronales en honor a la Virgen de la Soledad, unos días donde la Plaza Mayor se transforma en el epicentro de la celebración con su emblemática caldereta popular, encierros, festejos taurinos y una variada programación de conciertos y actos culturales.

El privilegio de vivir estas tradiciones alcanza una dimensión histórica y literaria cada mes de enero con la representación del Auto de los Reyes Magos, considerada la primera obra teatral escrita en castellano, a cargo de los propios vecinos en la Iglesia Parroquial. La primavera trae consigo la singular Fiesta de las Cruces a principios de mayo, una jornada de convivencia donde los barrios se engalanan con flores y los vecinos comparten limonada y viandas, seguida de las festividades de las Hermandades locales y la Romería de Santa María de la Cabeza en junio, que rinde homenaje a la santa nativa de la villa.

Desde el recogimiento de la Semana Santa y el alfombrado floral del Corpus Christi, hasta la magia de la Noche de San Juan con sus hogueras en la Plaza Mayor, cada evento es una oportunidad única para descubrir el carácter hospitalario de este destino. Para no perderte ninguna cita, desde los homenajes poéticos a Juan de Mena hasta la solidaria carrera de San Silvestre, te recomendamos consultar el calendario oficial de eventos de Torrelaguna, la guía imprescindible para planificar tu escapada y disfrutar de la historia viva de la Comunidad de Madrid.