Tourist places you should know in Manzanares el Real
A medieval town in the Community of Madrid
Very close to the Spanish capital, Madrid, there is a beautiful medieval town, with a central square and its imposing castle, located on the banks of a river that gives it greater appeal; we refer to Manzanares el Real.
It is a population with a long history, considered as a settlement in prehistory, as evidenced by the cave paintings found in La Pedriza, and in later times.
During Roman times it was also active, although not enough traces from this period have been found.
From the 13th century AD, the well-known history of the town begins, acquiring an important boom during the 14th and 15th centuries, thanks to the Mendoza noble family, who erected the most famous castle in the town.
By the end of the 20th century, it was the epicenter of the Autonomy of Madrid, the castle being the site where this important act was carried out.
Nowadays, it is a quiet town that attracts thousands of tourists annually, who want to discover the magic of this medieval town, very close to the capital of Spain, Madrid.
Manzanares el Real What to see?: The top 7 must-see places
1. New Castle of the Mendoza
It is the best preserved castle in the entire Madrid region, it is the Castillo de los Mendoza, who built this great structure in the 15th century.
The castle represents two styles amalgamated in one piece, on the one hand, the medieval style with its defensive columns, the entrance, etc., and the Renaissance period with its spacious halls, bay windows and palace-like elements.
Within its walls you can visit a labyrinth like those of that time, an orchard with different types of plants, as well as gardens, viewpoints, lounges and rooms.
The castle of Manzanares el Real is a must-see, where you can enjoy a dramatized visit, hold family workshops, and learn about the history of this important castle.
2. The ruins of the Old Castle
One of the things to see in Manzanares el Real is, without a doubt, the ruins of the old castle, which despite having only two walls standing, continues to be an important tourist spot.
The origins of this castle are unknown, although it has been determined that it has similarities with others, built between the fourteenth or fifteenth centuries.
When visiting these walls of the old castle, you will be able to see a beautiful view of the Manzanares River, next to the La Pedriza sector.
3. Town Square and the Town Hall Houses
The Plaza del Pueblo and the Casas del Ayuntamiento are considered the center of the city, since it is the meeting place for the locals, and the place where all their important celebrations take place.
Around the square you will be able to observe the façade of the Casas del Ayuntamiento, which in another period served as prisons; but today, they are a tourist attraction with their balconies, the balustrade and the main entrance.
It is one of the things to see in Manzanares el Real, surrounded by terraces, bars and restaurants, where you will enjoy the best of the area's gastronomy.
4. Bridge of the Cañada Real Segovia
One of the best visits in Manzanares el Real to see is to go through its Bridge of the Cañada Real Segoviana, also known as the Old Bridge, which dates from the 16th century.
Like all medieval towns, the bridge was a very important route, for the ancestors, even, the bridge was a good source of resources, since the city collected the pontazgo; that is, the right to pass over the bridge. It is a bridge of great beauty, through which the Manzanares River passes, in the tributary of the Cañada Real Segoviana.
5. Santillana Reservoir
If you want to walk through a quiet place, close to nature, and observe various waterfowl around, the Santillana Reservoir will be the best option.
It is a reservoir built in 1905 to supply electricity and water to the capital, but over time, it has been a meeting place for various types of waterfowl.
Currently, the Santillana Reservoir is highly visited by nature lovers and bird scholars, as well as being one of the ideal places to walk in Manzanares el Real.
6. Our Lady of the Snows Church
The Nuestra Señora de las Nieves church is one of the most important temples in this town, built in the 15th century, bringing together three moments of European architecture in its structure.
We can see the Romanesque style, in the central nave that leads to the presbytery; On the other hand, the late Gothic style is seen in its main chapel, while some Renaissance elements can be glimpsed in several of the ornamental elements of the church.
Among its most important elements, we can highlight:
The old cemetery, where there is currently a garden, with funerary pieces from the 13th to the 15th century.
The baptismal font, 16th century.
Image of the Virgen de la Correa, from the 18th century.
7. Manzanares el Real hiking trails
A town that is located between two national parks, so taking a hiking trail will not be difficult at all.
The parks are: Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park.
Next, we will present you three hiking trails in Manzanares el Real, which will not leave anyone indifferent, and which will help you connect with nature.
Charca Verde Route : the route begins leaving Manzanares el Real, heading to Cantoncochino, observing the mountains and the Manzanares River.
Once you enter La Pedriza, you will enjoy amazing landscapes, you will pass through the forest, and you will arrive at Charca Verde.
Collado del Cabrón Route : the rock formation of this route is its main attraction, with a path that has several shaded sections, and beautiful views of La Pedriza.
La Raja Route : it is a very easy route with a lot of signs, which is named after a depression in the rock, which becomes the only difficult section. However, you can help yourself with the steps in the stone.
Manzanares el Real, is one of the best tourist destinations to see in Spain, very close to the bustling city of Madrid, and a place that will offer you tranquility, beautiful natural landscapes together with medieval environments, with castles, cobbled streets and old bridges.