El Caño and the washhouses tell the story of how water was used in Tolocirio. The complex is in the built-up area, near the edge of town in the direction of Montejo de Arévalo and close to a recreational area. Residents drew water for their needs at the spring; the basin served as a watering trough for livestock. Surplus water was collected in a washhouse with two basins. The spring, watering trough, and washhouse form a water-use complex, with each part serving a different purpose. For anyone interested in everyday history, this is a precise place to start: the town’s history is not just about the spring, but also about the links between water supply, livestock farming, and laundry.
Church, Tower, and Local History
The fortified Church of San Pedro ApĂłstol dates from the 11th century. The Torre Ăłptica de Tolocirio, by contrast, dates from the 19th century: it has a square floor plan, with small gunports on all four sides. Here, you can see two distinct types of construction: a fortified church and a square tower with openings on each side. The Torre Ăłptica stands at an elevated viewpoint overlooking the valley of the Adaja River.
The earliest surviving written mention of Tolocirio dates from 1250, when the settlement appears under the name Tellocirio. The name Tolocirio comes from the medieval nobleman and founder of the settlement, Tello Dulcidio. The town’s historical affiliations can also be traced: Tolocirio belonged to the Comunidad de Villa y Tierra de Arévalo and the Sexmo de La Vega. After its conquest by Alfonso VI in 1082, the area became royal land, or a realengo.
Another aspect of the area’s history is an important Roman road. According to Professor and archaeologist Juan Francisco Blanco GarcĂa, it ran through the municipality of Tolocirio. The road linked Septimancas, now Simancas, with Alcalá de Henares, passing through Coca, the Roman Cauca, and Segovia. This route and the town’s buildings offer different ways to explore its history: a regional connection on the one hand, and specific buildings and their architectural styles on the other.
Festivals and Local Production
The festival of San Blas is celebrated on 3 February and is considered the town’s main festival. Tradition associates the saint with the healing of throat ailments, which is why the statue is adorned with coloured ribbons. San Isidro Labrador is celebrated on 15 May as the festival of farmers, and the Virgen del Rosario on 2 July. If you would like to plan your trip around one of these festivals, check the dates in advance.
The local economy also includes a small sector producing cheese and other dairy products. Alongside architectural history and festival traditions, manufacturing and local production are therefore also part of the town’s story. A nearby summit and the N-601 and SG-343 roads help you locate Tolocirio.
Getting Your Bearings and Directions
A route through Tierra de Arévalo follows the N-601 towards Valladolid, then takes the turn-off to Tolocirio. A paved road continues to Montejo de Arévalo without returning to the N-601. The town’s location near the road to Montejo also helps with orientation: El Caño and the washhouses are in the built-up area near the edge of town in that direction. When planning your trip, you can consider the location of the water complex, the roads mentioned, and the historical features described together.
Discover more destinations: Cabanillas, SepĂşlveda, Los Cortos, Castroserna De Abajo, Escobar De Polendos, Valverde Del Majano, Migueláñez, CastroserracĂn.
Return to the main travel overview: Segovia.
