Tórtoles – Holiday Apartment and Historical Discoveries

Bonilla de la Sierra combines a medieval character with a dense succession of historical landmarks. The town lies in the Corneja Valley at an altitude of 1,079 metres. Half-timbered buildings, arcades, façades with varied masonry designs, and a street plan based on rectangular and radial layouts shape its appearance.

Culture

Bonilla de la Sierra was declared a historic-artistic ensemble by Royal Decree 1646/1983 of 4 May 1983. The squares lead into an arcaded square; beside it are the fortress, the jurisdictional column, and a monumental church. Modern information panels with graphic illustrations explain various elements of the townscape and cultural heritage.

The historic-artistic ensemble is connected with grain cultivation, the grain trade, and bread production in mills on the Río Corneja. A specific link to this history is the Molino de Chuy mill in Ribera del Corneja, a hamlet belonging to Bonilla. It is located on the Río Corneja and beside the Chuy Bridge, built in 1411.

History

The Iglesia Colegiata San Martín de Tours was begun in the first half of the 15th century and is Gothic in style. On 3 June 1931, it was declared a national historic-artistic monument.

Inside, the church has a single large nave divided into five bays by pointed arches. The main chapel contains a Baroque altarpiece dated 1688, as well as ten painted panels depicting episodes from the life of Saint Martin of Tours.

The Castillo Fortaleza Bonilla de la Sierra fortress appears to date from the 12th century and was extensively rebuilt and maintained from the 14th century onwards. The Pozo de Santa Bárbara was probably built between the 12th and 13th centuries to provide the population with water.

Traditions

The Los Negros procession was revived in the 1980s and has remained active ever since. It begins at midnight at the Iglesia Colegiata San Martín de Tours. Three black-clad penitents take part, carrying a bell, a turuta, and a drum.

The procession covers 500 steps and lasts more than an hour. The nocturnal character of this tradition complements another special evening location: from the Cruz del Risco, constellations and shooting stars can be observed.

Trails

A hiking route to Bonilla de la Sierra begins in Mesegar de Corneja, follows the river to the medieval Chuy Bridge, and then continues along the path towards Bonilla. The sequence of river, bridge, and onward path gives the route a clearly recognisable thematic line.

A night-time walk through the area known as "traspalacio" offers an impression of the way of life during the bishops’ stay in the castle-palace. Guided tours are also organised, focusing on local secrets and legends, as well as the scattered remains of the castle-palace.

Other Places

Muñana, Narrillos de San Leonardo, Pozanco, Vega De Santa María, Las Navas Del Marqués, Mingorría, Muñico and Santa María Del Tiétar

For the main travel overview: Avila.