Soncillo: Townscape and Camino Olvidado

Traditional townscape, landscapes and a history of ancient routes give Soncillo a distinctive character.

Culture and townscape

Plaza de Carlos II is a prominent feature of Soncillo’s traditional townscape. The Church of San Cosme y San Damián is one of Soncillo’s most important architectural monuments. The glazed galleries provide a different architectural accent, illustrating the influence of the climate on local architecture. For centuries, a weekly market has been held in Soncillo on Wednesdays around the main square. The annual San Marcos livestock fair takes place on a Saturday close to 25 April. As a result, visible architectural forms and regularly recurring events stand alongside one another as different components of the townscape.

Landscape and surroundings

Playa de Arija is a beach in the surroundings of Soncillo. Alto Otero Mayor and Alto Cotero are also located in this area; both are mountains. The Museo De Las Tres Villas Pasiegas, a museum, is located in the wider regional area surrounding Soncillo. The same wider regional area also includes Pico de la Churra, a peak, the Julióbriga Roman City and Domus Museum, a monument, and the Colegiata de San Pedro, a church. The destinations are therefore distributed between the surroundings of Soncillo and the wider regional area.

Routes and landscapes

The Camino Olvidado is one of the oldest documented pilgrimage routes to Santiago and was heavily frequented between the 9th and 12th centuries. The fifth stage, Santelices–Arija, of the Camino Olvidado a Santiago reaches Soncillo after Argomedo. The Crestas y hayedos de Valdebezana e-bike route starts in Soncillo for cyclists; it leads to the ridges of Cubillos and through a series of gorges and peaks. The same route passes pine forests, holm-oak areas, open countryside and the Carrales beech forest. For planning purposes, the historic stage route and the e-bike route can be compared based on their different themes and sequences of landscapes. The historical context of the Camino and the specific sequence of landscapes along the e-bike route serve different informational purposes.

Rest and accommodation

Soncillo offers various services along the Camino Olvidado that are suitable for taking a break. The Albergue Juvenil de Soncillo has 82 places in four-bed rooms with private bathrooms.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Soncillo, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions may each be given different priority. The timing of the trip can be based on the town’s recurring events or on the days when routes and landscapes are the main focus. This makes it possible to consider cultural sightseeing, historical route themes and active routes as separate interests and compare them with personal travel plans. A stay focused on the townscape and events therefore follows a different daily structure from route-based planning; both perspectives can be weighted separately when making a choice.

More destinations: Hontoria De Valdearados, Quemada, Poza De La Sal, Oña, Villarias, Gumiel De Mercado, Madrigalejo Del Monte and Aranda De Duero.

For the wider travel overview: Burgos.