Santa Cruz de Mudela: Churches, Las Virtudes and Trails

The PR-CR 83 Sendero de la Noria Olaya in Santa Cruz de Mudela is a ready-to-use, 10.87-kilometre circular trail of moderate difficulty. A longer stage is the 47-kilometre Ruta de Don Quijote – Stage 3, which includes Santa Cruz de Mudela, Viso del Marqués and Almuradiel and can be completed on foot, on horseback or by bicycle. The different route lengths and modes of transport can be compared directly.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Santa Cruz de Mudela, you can match travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions with your planned priorities. Trails, buildings, festivals, crafts, nature and cultural events are available as different themes for planning.

Culture and History

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción is a late Gothic church built in the 16th century with Renaissance elements, and was recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1993. It is open for visits. The Ermita Santa María la Mayor was the first temple built in Santa Cruz de Mudela and served as the original parish church.

Las Virtudes also preserves a remarkable architectural history. The Plaza de Toros de Las Virtudes is a square bullring dating from 1641 to 1645 and is considered one of the oldest in Spain that is still in operation. The Ermita de Las Virtudes preserves a Mudejar roof structure from the 15th century, as well as a Camarín de la Virgen created in 1699 with paintings attributed to Antonio Palomino.

Festivals and Crafts

The Romería de Nuestra Señora María de las Virtudes takes place on 8 September. After a dawn mass, the procession makes its way to the Santuario de las Virtudes. During the Corpus Christi celebrations, several streets in the town are decorated with sunshades and carpets made of sawdust and salt; many residents also set up altars. Holy Week includes processions organised by four Passion brotherhoods.

One of the local craft specialities is knife-making: the knives known there are still made by hand in Santa Cruz de Mudela.

Nature and Trails

The Paraje y Santuario de Las Virtudes is located 6 to 7 kilometres southeast of Santa Cruz de Mudela in a small valley surrounded by woodland and watered by the Arroyo de la Virgen. The municipality forms part of the ZEPA Áreas Esteparias del Campo de Montiel and is considered important for the Spanish imperial eagle, cinereous vulture, black stork and Iberian lynx.

In the Noria Olaya area there are remains of Bronze Age structures; the Noria Olaya hiking route runs through its surroundings. There are also archaeological remains of a presumed Roman or Arab qanat consisting of underground galleries for collecting water.

Visits and Cultural Life

The Las Virtudes complex offers visitor services and guided tours. Free individual visits to the Plaza de Toros and the Santuario are possible; guided tours also include the Camarín.

The Balneario Cervantes is a restored former 18th-century hospital of the Order of San Camilo Lelis that has been adapted for tourism purposes. Today, the building houses the Casa de Cultura and the Biblioteca Municipal. Theatre performances, congresses, music, dance, meetings and exhibitions take place there; the building has room for 250 people. The building's chapel was built in 1918 in the Neo-Gothic style. The building is designed in the Historicist style and preserves a richly decorated wooden ceiling as well as a painted vault with Baroque decoration.

Other places include Brazatortas, Puebla del Príncipe, Daimiel, San Carlos Del Valle, Calzada De Calatrava, Torrenueva, Ruidera and Cañada De Calatrava.

Access to the platforms is provided at Santa Cruz de Mudela railway station.

To the main travel overview: Ciudad Real.