Villanueva de los Escuderos – Circular Route, Church and History

Villanueva de los Escuderos is located directly on the Cañada Real Rodrigo Ardaz. A specific exploration of the village is offered by Route 15: the 8.2-kilometre circular route begins at the Plaza del Ayuntamiento and leads to the sights of Villanueva de los Escuderos, including the Iglesia de la Asunción. The length of a circular route is an independent consideration when planning the day, while starting at a named square clearly integrates the route into a visit to the village.

Nature and Landscape

Route 15 runs along the left bank of the Arroyo del Egidillo towards the Altos de Cabrejas. It then passes through a pine forest with Portuguese oaks, holm oaks and kermes oaks. The Arroyo del Egidillo rises at the Fuente de la Zarza. The riverbank, forest and named tree species shape different sections of the circular route. Before setting out on a hike, it may be advisable to check current information on the condition of the paths.

The landscape features of Villanueva de los Escuderos include point-bar deposits. They are deposits of moderate sinuosity and are exceptionally well preserved. This geological formation adds an independent landscape aspect to the natural stops by the water and in the forest. Their moderate sinuosity describes the shape of the deposits; the explicitly highlighted state of preservation is part of their particular classification.

Culture and History

The Iglesia de la Asunción has a portal of Romanesque origin and a roofed atrium area. Inside stands a baptismal font whose ornament is framed by bands and consists of flower petals, crosses, spirals and diamonds. The portal, atrium and baptismal font are therefore architectural and decorative features within the same church. For visits to churches, current opening hours can be checked before travelling if a visit is planned.

Cerro Pelado, at an altitude of 1,072 metres, is identified as a former Iberian settlement. The archaeological sites extending as far as Villanueva de los Escuderos include rock-cut graves, coins and a hermitage or chapel. The historical status of Cerro Pelado remains linked to the former settlement. In 1185, King Alfonso VIII also made a donation to the Order of Santiago. The sites thus combine an archaeological and a medieval historical reference, without the two subjects referring to the same evidence.

Getting There

Villanueva de los Escuderos can be reached via the A-40 in the direction of Madrid, exit 305, the N-400 and the CUV-7037. When travelling via several road sections, current traffic conditions and route conditions should be checked before the journey begins. Current traffic information for the roads used is also decisive for planning the travel time.

The wider destination area also includes Pajaroncillo, Torrejoncillo Del Rey, Poyatos, El Arrabal, Jábaga, El Simarro, Arcas and Buenache de la Sierra.

For the overarching travel overview: Cuenca.