Castrillo de la Vega: Winegrowing, History and Trails along the Duero

Castrillo de la Vega brings its history to life through unusual places. The Cuesta de las Bodegas is an underground complex of wine cellars and pressing facilities that has documented the importance of winegrowing in traditional culture since the Middle Ages. Above the Duero lie the remains of the medieval Puente del Roque. They bear witness to the town's historical role on a route that connected the Castilian plateau with the ports of Bilbao and Santander.

History and Churches

The Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago Apóstol, also known as Santiago el Mayor, has a nave with the layout of a Latin cross. The Iglesia de Santiago el Mayor was built in the 16th century. Inside, a Romanesque baptismal font suggests that an earlier temple probably stood here.

The town's religious heritage also includes the Ermita de la Virgen de la Vega. The rectangular sanctuary is dedicated to the town's patron saint. The Torre del Monte, also known as Atalaya del Montecillo, was part of the crenellated fortress of Castrillo de la Vega. The Torre del Monte is also the remains of a castle in a strategic position with extensive views over the Duero Valley.

Access to this historic site is clearly described: you can drive to the foot of the slope; from there, a short, easy path leads to the ruins.

Annual Festivals

The traditional wine harvest festival, Fiesta de la Vendimia, takes place in summer. Products and wines from the surrounding wineries of Castrillo de la Vega are offered there. The festivities in honour of the Virgen de la Vega are held on the first weekend after Easter. A traditional pilgrimage between the Ermita de la Virgen de la Vega and the Iglesia de Santiago also takes place on the Monday after Easter Sunday.

The various dates help you tailor your plans to the festival or pilgrimage character that should be the focus of your trip.

Winegrowing

Bodega San Roque de la Encina was legally founded in 1956. It had 249 local winegrowers as members and 250 hectares of vineyards. The bodega has more than 50 years of tradition and is among the first wineries in the present-day Ribera del Duero designation of origin. Together with the Cuesta de las Bodegas, it anchors winegrowing both in specific historical figures and in the town's inherited structures.

Trails and Landscape

The Sendero de la Villa / PRC-BU 158 begins in Castrillo de la Vega and runs through the riverside areas of Campillo de Aranda and Castrillo de la Vega. Its route passes through a Mediterranean forest of holm oaks, junipers and pines. The combination of riverside areas and forest gives the route two clearly identifiable landscape zones.

Another longer route connection is the second stage of the Senda del Duero in Burgos. It begins in Aranda de Duero and leads via Castrillo de la Vega, Berlangas de Roa and Roa de Duero. Anyone wishing to distinguish between a short, easy access route to historic ruins, a forest and riverside trail, or a stage passing through several towns when planning their trip will find different types of trails and thematic focuses here.

For the overarching travel overview: Burgos.