Colmenar Viejo

35 kilometres north of Madrid, at the foot of the Sierra de Guadarrama, lies Colmenar Viejo, a municipality with more than 55,000 inhabitants (2023), which has witnessed millennia of history. Its vast territory, the third largest in the province, has a livestock tradition, which has left a deep mark on the landscape. The exploitation of granite and pastures have created a characteristic environment, where natural and cultural elements coexist.

Paleontological excavations have revealed that more than 100 million years ago, this territory had a climate, flora and fauna very different from today. Archaeological sites, for their part, offer a window into the period from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age, allowing the discovery of flint-carved stones and incised ceramics. However, it is in the Visigothic period, from the 6th to the 7th centuries, where most of the findings are concentrated, finding vestiges of several dispersed rural communities such as Fuente del Moro, Remedios, Navalvillar and, almost certainly, Navalahija.

After the conquest of Madrid by Alfonso VI, Colmenar Viejo was integrated into the Real de Manzanares. For centuries, this territory was the subject of disputes between Segovia and Madrid, until it finally came under the rule of the Crown of Castile.

The town experienced a notable population growth from the 15th century, consolidating itself as the economic and administrative centre of the lordship. The Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady, a magnificent example of Castilian Gothic, is a testimony to this age of splendour. It houses the Museum of Sacred Art.

Among the town's heritage, the mills and fulling mills of El Grajal also stand out: an industrial legacy dedicated to the production of flour and the treatment of wool, located on the banks of the Manzanares River that dates back to at least the 17th century, lasting until the 19th century; and the Casa Museo de la Villa, which houses a wine press and a winery, as well as hosting a collection of pieces that show the historical evolution of Colmenar Viejo, its main economic activities and traditional trades.

In addition to its rich historical heritage, Colmenar Viejo stands out for its natural environment. Much of its territory is included in the Regional Park of the Upper Manzanares Basin, which guarantees the conservation of its biodiversity. The Dehesa de Navalvillar, with its abundant fauna and flora, is another protected natural space of great value.

Life in Colmenar Viejo is marked by a rich festive tradition. La Vaquilla, declared of National Tourist Interest, and La Maya, of Regional Tourist Interest, are two of the most important celebrations. These festivals, rooted in local history and culture, attract numerous visitors every year.