Villarrubia De Santiago: Springs Route and Tagus Landscape

Villarrubia de Santiago is located in the Mesa de Ocaña, north of the province of Toledo, in a landscape of gently rolling, agriculturally shaped plains and vineyards.

Landscape and Trails

The PR-TO 33 circular hiking trail, “Paseo por las Fuentes”, is 8.34 km long, easy and designed as a circular route. Spring, autumn and winter are considered suitable seasons for the PR-TO 33. It is marked with the white and yellow signs of the provincial hiking trail network of Toledo and takes around three hours at a leisurely pace.

The area along the Springs Route is characterised by dry, whitish landscapes with erosion channels and ravines, becoming greener near the river. Rabbits and red-legged partridges, among other animals, can be observed along the route.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Villarrubia de Santiago, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on booking websites.

Other Places

For more travel ideas, you can also visit La Villa De Don Fadrique, La Puebla De Montalbán, Layos, Pepino, Orgaz, Talavera De La Reina, El Puente Del Arzobispo and Camuñas.

Culture and Townscapes

The Iglesia Parroquial de San Bartolomé is a 15th- or 16th-century church in the Herrerian style, with a distinctive tower divided into five sections. Its pentagonal wooden main altarpiece is gilded and decorated with gold.

Another architectural detail is the Casa de Lara, a modernist house with wrought-iron and glass bay windows finished with fan-shaped ornaments.

The Cueva de la Yedra is located at the Plaza de la Libertad and is said to belong to a network of galleries beneath Villarrubia de Santiago. A narrow passage in the cave leads to a circular chamber with nine decorative columns.

The Fuente Vieja dates from the 18th century and was historically used as a livestock watering trough, a public washhouse and to supply the population with drinking water. The Fuente Nueva also dates from the 18th century and was historically likewise used as a livestock watering trough, a public washhouse and to supply the population with drinking water.

History and Traditions

In the immediate vicinity of Villarrubia de Santiago, 5 km from the town, the Ermita de la Virgen del Castellar stands on a rocky massif on the Tagus. According to tradition, it was built in the 19th century from the remains of Tormón Castle.

The Hoyo de la Serna archaeological site is located 1.5 km west of the town. In the surrounding area north of Villarrubia de Santiago, winding meanders form along the course of the Tagus; erosion creates erosion channels, large ravines, white rocky ridges and a barren, almost moon-like landscape.

The annual celebrations in honour of the Virgen del Castellar include processions, traditional encierros, concerts and verbenas. They also include an offering of flowers and food to the Virgen del Castellar, as well as a romería during which the image is returned to her shrine.

A local tradition holds that Santa Teresa de Jesús left a piece of luggage in Villarrubia de Santiago during one of her founding journeys.

For the main travel overview: Toledo.