Discover Lanzahíta: Landscape, Culture and History

Lanzahíta lies in the Tiétar Valley, south of the eastern Gredos mountain range at the foot of the Abantera. The town lies between the pine forests on the slopes and the dehesas of the plain, characterised by holm oaks, oaks, cork oaks and Pyrenean oaks. The landscape and the town’s history are presented here as clearly distinguishable themes. The Eliza gorge runs through Lanzahíta; its water is used for irrigation. The plain is a fertile vega for growing vegetables, particularly asparagus.

When comparing holiday apartments in Lanzahíta, you can take the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions into account on the respective offer pages. Which of these details matters to you depends on your own circumstances.

Landscape

The geographical location combines wooded slopes with the open dehesas of the plain and gives the town a clearly structured landscape setting. The Garganta de La Eliza is not only present as a gorge: its water is used for irrigation, while the fertile vega is particularly suited to growing asparagus.

Culture

A written record dates back to the mid-13th century: the parish church of Lanzahíta is one of the few churches mentioned in the tithe register that Gil Torres compiled for Ávila Cathedral in 1250. The 16th-century parish church of San Juan Bautista has an apse with a terceletes vault.

The main altarpiece is a work of the 16th-century Castilian school made of carved wood, combining painting and sculpture. It was created by Pedro de Salamanca together with Juan de Frías; both are described as pupils of Berruguete, with Pedro de Salamanca receiving particular emphasis. The architectural and artistic history therefore remains legible through specific names, materials and forms.

The Puente Románico crosses the Garganta de La Eliza. Next to the Puente Románico stands the Ermita de la Virgen del Prado, dedicated to the patron saint of Lanzahíta. The present-day ermita was built by reusing elements from the earlier chapel. The lintels of the older buildings still preserved in Lanzahíta bear signs associated with the former hospitality shown to travellers and beggars.

History

Only remains in the Gothic-Mudéjar style survive from a 15th-century chapel. The passage tomb known as “Sepulcro del Moro” in the Dehesa de Robledoso is attributed to the Megalithic period and stands near the Arroyo Robledo. Lanzahíta therefore contains different historical traces side by side, without the town having to be assigned to a single period.

Culture

Lanzahíta has a proposed tourist route with eight cultural heritage stops. Its thematic scope ranges from landscape to religious art and archaeology, as well as wine. When planning your visit, these areas can be explored separately or combined; which sequence seems most suitable depends on your interests.

Wine

At Camino Fuente Abajo, Restaurante y Bodega Huellas del Tiétar in Lanzahíta offers visits to the bodega and wine tastings. This specific location complements the cultural and historical highlights with a connection to wine.

Other Places

Other places: Herreros De Suso, Muñopepe, San Esteban Del Valle, Tornadizos De Ávila, Navacepedilla De Corneja, Cuevas Del Valle, Pajares De Adaja, Pozanco

To the higher-level travel overview: Avila.