Cardeñosa: Granite Houses, Church Art and Castro de Las Cogotas

Cardeñosa preserves numerous traditional houses of the mountain region with rear courtyards, elongated façades and granite details in the masonry, lintels and door jambs. For generations, a tradition of granite masonry has also been passed down here, linked to the quarries in the surrounding area.

Culture and History

The Iglesia de la Invención de la Santa Cruz dates from the 15th century and has a polygonal apse with robust ashlar buttresses. Its central nave has a Mudéjar coffered ceiling. The church houses the sculptural group “Virgen del Pajarito”, created by Vasco de la Zarza. The sacristy contains a small museum with paintings, triptychs, chalices, patens and liturgical vestments.

The Ermita del Berrocal, also known as Nuestra Señora del Tránsito or del Cristo, lies southeast of Cardeñosa on a hill and has a 16th-century altarpiece. The heritage mural of Cardeñosa depicts the Tres Cruces, the Arco de Conejeros, the Cruz del Bujero, the Cruz del Campanario and the Cruz de la Iglesia.

A local legend about Santa Paula Barbada places her birth in Cardeñosa during the early, dark centuries of the Middle Ages. The Arco de Conejeros is the transverse arch of the church of a settlement mentioned in 1250. The archaeological remains of Conejeros include a necropolis with eight visible stone-slab burials.

Archaeology and Landscape

Archaeological investigations at Castro de Las Cogotas have identified a Late Bronze Age settlement phase known as Cogotas I and a later settlement phase of the Vettones known as Cogotas II. Castro de Las Cogotas lies on the River Adaja near the dam of the reservoir of the same name, among granite boulders, dense holm oak stands and pastureland. It is protected by a double ring of fortifications and a field of upright stones intended to make access by cavalry more difficult.

The Aula Arqueológica Castro de Las Cogotas is an interactive venue providing information about the history, culture, settlement, economy and urban planning of the archaeological site.

Routes

The Ruta de los Poblados Medievales is a circular route from the Aula Arqueológica Castro de Las Cogotas to the medieval settlements of Cardeñosa. It can be completed on foot or by bicycle. Three signposted routes lead from the Aula Arqueológica Castro de Las Cogotas to the Arco de Conejeros: two can be used on foot or by bicycle, while the third can additionally be travelled by car. There are also two signposted routes to Castro de Las Cogotas; one can be used on foot or by bicycle, while the other can additionally be travelled by car.

Other places to read about: Fontiveros, Umbrías, Mediana De Voltoya, Cuevas Del Valle, San Martín Del Pimpollar, Horcajo de las Torres, La Aldehuela, Villanueva De Ávila.

Visiting and Orientation

A physical brochure about the Urban Crosses of Cardeñosa contains locations, photos and brief explanations of the crosses in the town. Group visits to the Aula Arqueológica Castro de Las Cogotas can be arranged with the municipal administration if a guided tour is required. Daily visiting hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. were planned for the Aula Arqueológica Castro de Las Cogotas.

To the main travel overview: Avila.