San Lorenzo de Calatrava – Nature, Hiking Trails and Culture

San Lorenzo de Calatrava is part of the Parque Natural del Valle de Alcudia y Sierra Madrona Nature Park. The surrounding area features mountain ranges, holm oak groves and valleys. The town belongs to the municipalities in the Valle de Alcudia y Sierra Madrona area that have joined the Starlight initiative. The CR-5044 and CR-5042 roads are associated with San Lorenzo de Calatrava.

When booking a holiday apartment in San Lorenzo de Calatrava, you can compare travel dates, accommodation categories and cancellation policies on the respective offer page. You can match the details with the themes of hiking, nature and culture as well as the fixed dates in your travel plans.

Nature

The Microrreserva Túneles de Ojailén extends across the area of San Lorenzo de Calatrava. The protected area consists of five railway tunnels belonging to the unfinished railway project from Puertollano to Marmolejo. In winter, the tunnels are home to around 2,000 bats; the microrreserve is the second most important wintering site for cave-dwelling bats in Castilla-La Mancha. It is freely accessible year-round, but entering the tunnels is prohibited, particularly while the bats are hibernating.

Hiking

The Ruta 31 Sierra Alta is a 13-kilometre linear hiking route in San Lorenzo de Calatrava with a moderate difficulty level and a stated duration of 3.5 hours. It leads as far as the crossing of the Río Rigüelo and can then be continued to the rock paintings of La Jalbegada. The routes in the surrounding area also include the Puerto del Mochuelo route with natural viewpoints. Hiking trails lead from the town to the Sierra del Ventorrillo and Peña Bermeja. For planning your day, you can compare the length and duration of Ruta 31 with the other trail themes, the crossing and the viewpoints.

Culture

La Jalbegada displays 11 figures in the area around San Lorenzo de Calatrava, 4 of which are larger than the others. The municipality contains significant examples of schematic art; the rock paintings of La Jalbegada are considered an outstanding example from this prehistoric period. The parish church of San Lorenzo Mártir was built in the 1970s. People have been washing by hand at the Lavaderos del Caño for more than 80 years. In the past, the Lavaderos del Caño also served as a meeting place where women socialised while doing the laundry.

History

The possible medieval origin of San Lorenzo de Calatrava may be connected with a small hermitage dedicated to Saint Lawrence, which livestock keepers and beekeepers petitioned Philip II to establish in 1588 so that they could attend Mass there.

Festivals

The patron saint festivities in honour of San Lorenzo Mártir take place from 9 to 12 August. The La Reliquia del Santo procession takes place on 10 April. The San Marcos festival takes place on 25 March and includes Hornazo. The San Isidro pilgrimage takes place on 15 May and includes a day of relaxation in the countryside.

More destinations

More destinations for your travel planning: Viso Del Marqués, Ruidera, Hinojosas De Calatrava, Puerto Lápice, Pedro Muñoz, Ciudad Real, Argamasilla De Calatrava and Porzuna.

To the higher-level travel overview: Ciudad Real.