A Romanesque portal with three archivolts and an 18th-century processional cross introduce Castro de Fuentidueña through two distinct periods in its history.
Romanesque church art
The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción de María was originally built in the Romanesque style. Its Romanesque portal has three archivolts, or arch mouldings, framing the doorway. Several Romanesque corbels are found on the façade, and several Romanesque capitals are inside. Frescoes inside depict the Last Supper. The church’s processional cross belongs to a later period: Juan Antonio Sanz Delgado, a silversmith from Cuéllar, made it in the third quarter of the 18th century. Romanesque architectural elements thus stand alongside a much later work of silversmithing.
Local history and distinctive architecture
The first recorded mention of Castro de Fuentidueña dates from 943. At the time, the settlement was known as “Castro de Fratres,” meaning “castle of the monks.” Another distinctive feature of the local architecture is its underground wine cellars, which belong to numerous private owners. El pozo, the well, is the second stop on a tourist route through the province’s Castros. It once served as a water supply for the village. The itinerary therefore includes, alongside sacred art and privately owned cellar architecture, a place that once served a practical purpose.
Festivals and when to visit
Santa Lucía is celebrated in Castro de Fuentidueña on 5 August; another celebration of Santa Lucía takes place on 13 December. The dates fall at different times of the year, offering two separate reasons to visit. If you would like to plan your stay around one of the celebrations, check the date of the event you wish to attend in advance.
Routes: geology and getting active
The Ruta de bodegas a los mares de los dinosaurios is linear and can be walked in either direction. Along the route, limestone, dolomite and marl occur in irregular beds. They were deposited about 190 million years ago in shallow, subtropical coastal seas. Algal laminations and fossils of marine invertebrates, including brachiopods and molluscs, can also be observed. Together, the rock beds and fossils draw attention to different aspects of geological history: how the sediments were deposited and traces of marine life from that time.
There are other options for activities in the area, each with a different local focus. The BTT Carrascal del Río route passes through Castro de Fuentidueña; nearby, the Hoces del Duratón offer opportunities for hiking. You can choose between a cycling route that goes through the village and hiking opportunities in a nearby area. If you are making specific plans, it is advisable to check the latest route information.
Discover more destinations: Armuña, Espirdo, Cabanillas, Matabuena, Cabezuela, Mudrián, Valdesimonte, San Cristóbal De Segovia.
For the wider travel overview: Segovia.
