Discover Carranque: Roman History and the Río Guadarrama

The Parque Arqueológico de Carranque is located 5.3 km northwest of Carranque, within the municipality of Carranque, and borders the Autonomous Community of Madrid. The park is one of seven official archaeological parks in Castilla-La Mancha. When comparing holiday apartments in Carranque, you can consider the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions of the respective offers side by side. The decision can be based on your own priorities, without forcing the different facets of the area into a single type of trip.

Culture and History

The Centro de Interpretación features a comprehensive permanent exhibition on everyday life in Roman times, the religious and funerary world, and archaeology. The Centro de Interpretación del Yacimiento Romano de Carranque also offers guided tours with virtual reality glasses. In the Villa de Materno, twenty rooms with mosaic floors have been preserved. The mosaics in the Villa de Materno cover 600 m² and mostly depict mythological themes. Mosaics in the Parque Arqueológico de Carranque show mythological themes, hunting scenes and geometric motifs; they are protected for clear, direct viewing.

The Torcularium is a building used for producing oil and wine. The Edificio Palacial has marble columns, each made from a single block of stone quarried in the interior of Anatolia. The building was reused by the Visigoths as a church and necropolis.

Sacred Buildings

The basilica in the Parque Arqueológico de Carranque is partially preserved and is considered possibly the oldest Christian basilica discovered to date in Hispania. The Ninfeo in the Parque Arqueológico de Carranque is a sacred temple or monumental fountain. The Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena dates from the 16th century and has three naves. Its altarpiece was created by Pedro Martínez de Castañeda of the Berruguete school. The Ermita de San Dimas is a 19th-century building with semicircular windows.

Landscape and Paths

The Río Guadarrama is the most defining landscape feature in the area around Carranque; vegetation includes poplars, black poplars, blackberry bushes and reeds or rushes. The surroundings of the Río Guadarrama near Carranque offer paths and nature. Different themes can help structure your days: historic sites, sacred art, nature trails and events each provide their own focus.

Other Places

Other places: Cazalegas, Fuensalida, Buenasbodas, Tembleque, La Torre De Esteban Hambrán, Serranillos Playa, Santa Cruz De La Zarza, Villatobas

Events and Routes

The Jornadas Romanas include historical reenactments, markets, music, theatre and a Roman-themed dinner. The XX. Jornadas Romanas de Carranque were announced for 8 to 10 May in Carranque; the event's twenty-year history was commemorated. The Jornadas Romanas programme included a free pottery workshop in which participants could make their own piece and take it home.

Carranque lies within the eco-tourism corridor “Ruta del Quijote”, more specifically in the “De Esquivias, Illescas y Carranque” section. In Carranque, its reference point is located at the Parque Arqueológico de la Villa Romana de Materno Cinegio.

For the overarching travel overview: Toledo.