Discover Membrilla: Churches, Mills and Nature

Membrilla reveals its history in various places. The present-day church of Santiago el Mayor was built in the 15th century, replacing a church from the first quarter of the 13th century. The church was designed in the Late Flamboyant Gothic style with some Isabelline features. As a parish church, Santiago el Mayor is today in an exceptionally well-preserved and well-maintained condition.

Culture and History

The convent and church of the Concepcionistas Franciscanas occupy a large plot on Calle de las Monjas in Membrilla. The convent has a square floor plan, three storeys, exposed brickwork and exposed rubble-stone masonry. The origins of the convent for women include a proposal by Francisco Camacho Martín in 1609; the nuns’ relocation was approved in 1610.

The Ermita de Nuestra Señora la Virgen del Espino also points to older architectural contexts: it was built on a motilla and was integrated into the Castillo de El Tocón for centuries. Over time and through repeated improvement and restoration work, the former defensive area lost its traces of fortification and became a sanctuary. Membrilla also found its way into literature through Lope de Vega, who made the town the setting for his comedy “El Galán de la Membrilla”.

The Molino del Rezuelo is a special testament to the region’s technological history. It can currently be visited and was restored by the Escuela Taller de Membrilla. The mill was one of eleven watermills that lined the course of this waterway through Membrilla. Of the former mills, it is the only one still preserved; it remained in operation until the late 1970s.

Routes and Nature

The Ruta del Quijote crosses the municipality of Membrilla for 14 km through rural landscapes, vineyard paths and traditional architecture. The Paraje Natural de El Peral nature area preserves the remains of Roman thermal baths; it also includes a wooded area suitable for resting and walking. The Albardinales de Membrilla-La Solana micro-reserve lies between the municipalities of Membrilla and La Solana and can be visited freely. You can enjoy the view from the Torre del Reloj.

For planning your trip, the cultural, scenic and culinary highlights can be considered separately or combined. The 14 km of the Ruta del Quijote contrast with a more tranquil period in the wooded area of El Peral.

Festivals and Cuisine

Los Desposorios is a tradition originating in the 13th century that symbolically celebrates the betrothal of the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph. The festival has officially been recognised as a festival of provincial tourist interest. As part of this tradition, the traditional serrana is sampled, a drink made from red wine, sugar and peach.

Traditional dishes from Membrilla include gachas blancas, white beans with partridge, machacón, and chicken or hen in pepitoria. Gachas blancas are traditionally associated with Jueves de Comadre, the Thursday before Carnival Sunday. The nearest railway station is in nearby Manzanares, 5 km from Membrilla.

Other places: Villamayor De Calatrava, Los Cortijos, Almedina, Herencia, Almadén, Montiel, Cózar, Villanueva De Los Infantes

To the main travel overview: Ciudad Real.