San Bartolomé de Pinares: Las Luminarias, Churches and Trails

San Bartolomé de Pinares shows its distinctive side in January: During Las Luminarias, a tradition celebrated on Saint Anthony's Day, riders on horses or donkeys jump over bonfires in the streets to cleanse themselves of their ills. Visitors should remain on the pavements, not enter the carriageway and maintain an appropriate safety distance.

Landscape and Location

Located in the Tierra de Pinares, San Bartolomé de Pinares faces west on the slope of the valley formed by the Arroyo Gaznata. El Quintanar, a 1,561.3-hectare forest of public utility, belongs to the municipality.

Trails and Routes

The third stage of the Ruta Teresiana de los Caminos y Posadas runs for 15 kilometres from Cebreros to San Bartolomé de Pinares. The Camino de Santiago stage from Cebreros to San Bartolomé de Pinares is also part of the local selection of routes; it is approximately 19 kilometres long and is considered an easy route. The two stage lengths provide different points of comparison for planning the day.

Culture and History

The Iglesia de San Bartolomé is a simple Gothic parish church; it probably dates from the late 15th or 16th century. The main altar is made of gilded polychrome wood and contains a carved figure of Saint Bartholomew, as well as oil paintings in its two sections.

The Ermita de la Visitación dates from the 17th or 18th century. There is a round vault above the sacristy and an alfarje roof above the nave. The chapel also houses small panel paintings depicting the life of the Virgin Mary and a small Baroque altarpiece.

The Ermita del Santísimo Cristo de la Vera Cruz is a small 18th-century building in the vernacular Baroque style and preserves a sculptural Calvary group dating from the 16th century. The Cañada Real de la Mesta Leonesa Oriental later ran through the municipality's territory. The Casa de la Inquisición is a two-storey building, while the El Cascorro statue commemorates Eloy Gonzalo García, who spent his early years in San Bartolomé de Pinares from 1868 onwards. The Escudo de la Inquisición has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural under Decreto 571/1963 of 14 March.

Wine Growing and Local Character

A local project aims to preserve San Bartolomé de Pinares's remaining wine-growing heritage and produce wine collectively from the Garnacha grapes of local growers.

For holiday apartment listings in San Bartolomé de Pinares, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions are separate details. They appear alongside the wine-growing heritage and the other local content, so accommodation details and travel planning can be considered as separate aspects.

Other Places

Other places in the same area include Mediana De Voltoya, Villatoro, Gallegos, Umbrías, Muñopepe, Navacepeda de Tormes, Hoyorredondo and La Serrada.

For the higher-level travel overview: Avila.