Discover Buenaventura: Nature, Architectural Heritage and Holiday Apartments

Buenaventura lies at the foot of the Sierra de San Vicente, where mountains and valleys shape the landscape. Around the town, forests, scrubland and expansive views of nearby valleys define the scenery. The PR-TO 54 Sendero del Tiétar trail provides a specific way to explore the surrounding area: the circular route begins and ends in Buenaventura. Along the banks of the Tiétar, it runs through gallery forests and then through a dehesa characterised by holm oaks. The different sections of the route and landscapes can be directly compared.

Nature and Trails

The PR-TO 54 route connects several clearly recognisable landscape areas. First, the trail follows the Tiétar through gallery forests before entering a dehesa whose character is defined by holm oaks. The circular route starts and ends in Buenaventura. Together with its location at the foot of the Sierra de San Vicente, this creates a landscape of riverbanks, wooded areas, scrubland, mountains, valleys and open views of nearby valleys.

Culture and Architectural Heritage

The Iglesia de la Santa Cruz has three naves separated by arches. Its portal was built by Pedro de Tolosa between 1560 and 1574. The stone church also has a polygonal apse bearing the Dávila coat of arms.

On the outskirts of Buenaventura stands the Ermita de San Sebastián, an 18th-century historicist hermitage. Its rectangular floor plan, exterior masonry made of roughly hewn ashlar blocks and hipped roof covered with tiles define its external appearance. Another religious complex is the Ermita del Buen Suceso, a popular 18th-century hermitage on Calle Buen Suceso. It has an approximately square floor plan. Above the portal is a canopy supported by pillars of the Tuscan order.

The Molino-Lagar is also part of the historic townscape. The remains of a mill with a waterwheel shaft dating from the 16th century have been preserved. The building was later used as an oil mill after a diversion had been constructed in the channel.

Other places to discover: Ajofrín, Novés, Azucaica, San Pablo De Los Montes, Castillo De Bayuela, Herreruela de Oropesa, Seseña, El Carpio de Tajo.

Annual Festivities

The Cruz de Mayo takes place on 3 May. It includes erecting the maypole for the Quintos and a Mass. San Buenaventura is celebrated on 15 July, with a Mass, a procession and bullfighting events. On the last Saturday in September, the Nuestra Señora del Buen Suceso celebration includes a Mass, a procession to the hermitage and a subsequent auction.

Location and Getting There

Buenaventura is 22 kilometres from Talavera. The drive via the CM-5100 takes 25 minutes by car.

For the wider travel overview: Toledo.