Las Navas de Riofrío: Palace, Nature and Sheep Shearing

Las Navas de Riofrío lies at the foot of the Segovia side of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Special sites include the Palacio Real de Riofrío, the Bosque de Riofrío, as well as paths and historic places associated with sheep shearing and former village life.

Culture and History

After the death of Felipe V, Isabel de Farnesio commissioned the construction of the Palacio Real de Riofrío. The palace houses collections of paintings, sculptures and furniture. It also contains a hunting museum with dioramas depicting game animals in their respective habitats.

The Church of the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción is a historically significant site with a Romanesque portal. According to tradition, this portal came from a hermitage in Cepones. The Ermita de San Antolín is also part of the local history: it was built in 1733, while the Brotherhood of San Antolín had already been founded in 1608.

Navas de Ríofrío has a tradition dating back to the early Middle Ages as a centre of sheep shearing and a transit point for flocks of sheep. In the second half of the 18th century, Las Navillas was an important place for shearing transhumant flocks and had several shearing yards or shearing houses.

Nature and Landscape

The Bosque de Riofrío lies between the localities of Madrona, Hontoria, Revenga, Navas de Ríofrío and La Losa. The area comprises four ecosystems: holm oak forest, juniper forest, Pyrenean oak forest and ash forest. As a Site of Community Importance, the Bosque de Riofrío has been included in the Natura 2000 network.

In addition to the palace, the Bosque de Riofrío has a designated recreational area of approximately five hectares with a viewpoint, signage, benches and tables. Thus, the natural area contains both various types of woodland and a separately designated recreational area.

Paths and Historic Traces

The Senda del Mirador is freely accessible during the opening hours of the Palacio Real de Riofrío and leads through two recreational areas. The Ruta Urbana Pequeños Exploradores – La Ruta de Las Caceras begins at the Ermita de San Antolín; the Cacera del Navero runs along it. The route also passes old wash places where older villagers washed their laundry on stone slabs.

The ruins of the El Charcón washhouse in Navas de Ríofrío are classified as a Bien de Interés Cultural. They preserve the remains of two shearing facilities. In connection with these shearing facilities, a total of 43,000 sheep sheared in 1752 is recorded.

Annual Festivals

The Inmaculada Concepción festival includes a procession to the Virgen de la Nava and the traditional auction of processional staffs. The local Inmaculada Concepción festival is celebrated on 8 December.

The San Antolín festival is celebrated on 2 September. The Ermita de San Antolín opens on 2 September, the saint’s day.

Other Places

Other places: Bernuy de Porreros, Turégano, Aldea Real, La Lastrilla, Villacorta, Arcones, Castro de Fuentidueña, Pedraza

To the overarching travel overview: Segovia.