Torrelaguna
Torrelaguna, a legacy worthy of admiration
Some things can’t be told; you have to go see them. It happens in a few places: almost everyone’s heard of them, but only a few actually know them. And that’s the big difference: really discovering them requires visiting them. Torrelaguna is one of those places.
Torrelaguna is one of the villages with the most history in the Autonomous Region of Madrid. The birthplace of Cardinal Cisneros, it reached its greatest prosperity in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, coinciding with the period during which the Cardinal was in power. It still has an enviable collection of stately homes, noble and clergy homes, palaces and convents. One could say that architecture made a fortune here or that some lucky ones dedicated a good portion of their tax revenue and ingenuity to build a legacy there worthy of admiration.
With a medieval feel, Torrelaguna invites travellers to enter its walled enclosure through the door of Santo Cristo de Burgos and to get lost in its streets visiting and admiring its Main Square, an outstanding example of that ancient splendour as well as the nerve centre of the town. You get to this monumental square by crossing through the remains of the old wall at the San Bartolomé arch or Puerta del Sol.
Cardinal Cisneros and Santa María de la Cabeza were both born in Torrelaguna, San Isidro Labrador lived there and the poet Juan de Mena is buried there. The historic centre lives up to such distinguished figures, which is more than noticeable as soon as you first step into the streets.

Photo: Aerial view of Torrelaguna

Photo: Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena (Church)

Photo: Atalaya de Arrebatacapas

Photo: Plaza de la Montera

Photo: Medieval Bridge
Tips for visiting Torrelaguna
It’s best to take the necessary time or even a bit more when visiting Torrelaguna. In addition to the interest found in each of the buildings bearing witness to the passage of prominent historical figures, getting lost in its streets is also a real pleasure. Visitors can enjoy the small shops and traditional bakeries, where you can try the typical local cakes or have a good meal at one of its restaurants. Or walk, simply letting your imagination run wild. Continue reading...
The Main Square, the buildings and symbols
The source of divine and Earthly power
Other buildings of worship
The ritual side of architecture
Homes that know more than they tell
Buildings with their own personality
Noble family palaces and homes
Defence as the goal and a trade as the way
Civil engineering for a villa that went through long periods of peace.
Genius construction to make life easier
Defence structures, necessary for wartime
Defence as the goal and a trade as the way
Much more in our Tourism Office
Visit us and we’ll tell you all you need to know

Tourism Office of Torrelaguna
Lo más recomendable para conocer Torrelaguna es dirigirse a la Oficina de Turismo, donde se brinda información pormenorizada sobre los edificios religiosos y civiles que merece la pena conocer, sobre los restos de la muralla o sobre las atalayas de origen árabe que fueron edificadas en cerros cercanos a la actual población, entre ellas la atalaya de Arrebatacapas.
- Address: Plaza Mayor, 8
- Web: http://turismo.torrelaguna.es/
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