San Martín del Castañar: Culture, Nature and Wine

San Martín del Castañar was declared a historic-artistic ensemble by Royal Decree 3233/1982 of 12 November 1982. Traditional architecture shapes the town: because of the limited building area, the buildings are constructed upwards, while widely projecting roofs narrow the streets and protect the house walls from heavy rainfall.

The additional destinations to choose from include Alba De Tormes, Serradilla del Llano, Fuentes De Oñoro, Ciudad-Rodrigo, Aldeagutiérrez, Sancti-Spíritus, Gallegos De Argañán and Molinillo.

Culture

The Church of San Martín de Tours was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and was listed as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1981. Its features include a Baroque altarpiece, a Mudejar coffered ceiling, Ionic columns and a portico.

The Ermita del Humilladero stands beside the Roman road; it has six late Gothic pillars with an octagonal cross-section. The Roman Bridge is connected to the Roman road leading to the Parque Municipal. The road continues to the Ermita del Socorro and the Ermita del Humilladero; the stone crosses along the route were formerly used for the Stations of the Cross.

The Portalón enabled the council of San Martín to conveniently watch the events and festivities taking place in the square. The same square is bordered by the old schools, a mesón, a tavern, the former bishop's palace and private houses.

The 15th-century castle of San Martín del Castañar was restored and converted into the Interpretation Centre for the Sierras de Béjar and Francia Biosphere Reserve. A viewpoint in the castle tower offers views over the Sierras de Béjar and Francia and the town centre of San Martín del Castañar.

The Plaza de Toros is considered the second-oldest bullring in Spain, after the Plaza de Toros de El Castañar in Béjar (Salamanca).

When you select a holiday apartment in San Martín del Castañar, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective listing pages. This allows you to combine the different aspects of the town and its experiences with your personal travel plans.

Nature

The Asentadero–Bosque de los Espejos circular route is 9.2 kilometres long, passes through the municipalities of San Martín del Castañar, Sequeros and Las Casas del Conde, and runs through the Las Batuecas–Sierra de Francia Nature Park. The route includes, among other works of art, La Torre de Intercambio, Casa de Árbol y una Aguja, Mochuelos and Puertas Abiertas en el campo.

The Pasadizo de los Porqués conveys the region's geological, floral and faunal characteristics together with local crafts, traditions and legends.

Wine

The Bodega Medieval de San Martín del Castañar offers an immersive tour of the history, tradition and artisanal production of wine in a 16th-century stone cellar. The Bodega Medieval experience includes a tasting of wines made from the Rufete grape, a variety native and exclusive to this area.

To the main travel overview: Salamanca.