Santa Marta De Tormes: Isla del Soto, Art and Cycle Paths

Santa Marta de Tormes features Isla del Soto, a 14-hectare river area in the bed of the Tormes River. Around 2 kilometres of paths are open on the island, accessible to both pedestrians and cyclists. Those who want to compare different ways of exploring will find both short paths and signposted themed routes here.

Nature and Paths

The Ruta de los Puentes del Arte can be explored on foot or by bicycle. As a signposted tourist, educational and leisure offering, it conveys the sociocultural heritage as well as the fauna and flora of Santa Marta de Tormes through information panels. The Ruta de los Lápices extends beyond Isla del Soto through the squares and streets of Santa Marta de Tormes.

As a circular route through Isla del Soto, the Ruta de los Lápices is less than 2 kilometres long and stands out for its striking large coloured-pencil decorations. On the Ruta de Los Bichos del Soto, two sculptures from the route can currently be viewed. The outdoor art also includes four large iron sculptures by Arte Emboscado, located on Isla del Soto and along the riverside promenade.

The Centro de Interpretación Isla del Soto is working to restore Isla del Soto's cultural heritage as an ethnographic museum. The Centro also houses the Sala de Exposiciones Miguel Delibes.

Cycling in Santa Marta de Tormes

Santa Marta de Tormes has around 12 kilometres of cycle paths. The SalEnBici bicycle rental service has three stations in the town. Together with the paths on Isla del Soto that are open to pedestrians and cyclists and the two routes, this creates a diverse picture of the local opportunities for exploring on two wheels.

Art and Exhibitions

The Museo de la Moto Histórica displays 50 motorcycles arranged chronologically. The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo José Fuentes has a collection of 150 works of art. The Museo del Grabado y Obra Múltiple houses a collection of almost 80 works by Oswaldo Guayasamín.

The parish church of Santa Marta de Tormes on the Plaza de la Iglesia displays the series “Las Catedrales Mágicas”, comprising 64 works in four polyptychs. The “Gastronomía y Naturaleza” collection, permanently displayed at the Escuela de Hostelería de Santa Marta de Tormes, comprises 50 works by 25 artists.

The Sala Jorge Navarro displays 87 prints created by students and inspired by music and dance. The Sala Protagonistas is dedicated to temporary exhibitions by both lesser-known and established artists. The Espacio Serzo Santa Marta is a permanently established exhibition space. Espacio Serzo combines drawing, painting and sculpture with theatrical, cinematic and poetic installations.

The Ruta de los Murales comprises 48 works and is part of Santa Marta de Tormes' open-air museum of urban art. The T12 Aviocar stands at the junction of Avenida de la Serna and Carretera de Madrid. It commemorates Santa Marta de Tormes' close connection with Matacán Air Base.

The exhibition space “Ora et Labora, nuestra historia” explains the former Benedictine monastery of Santa María de la Serna in Santa Marta de Tormes. Volatiritormes also takes place in Santa Marta de Tormes, an international festival of acrobats, aerial performers and “Genios sin botella”.

Information and Accessibility

The Oficina de Turismo de Santa Marta de Tormes provides information about museums, Isla del Soto, Arte Emboscado and the town's murals. Santa Marta offers interactive and accessible audio guides in Easy Language, supplemented by audio descriptions for people with visual impairments, subtitles, Spanish Sign Language and an English-language version.

Further places: El Gejo De Los Reyes, Parada De Rubiales, Bermellar, Las Casas Del Conde, Peñaranda De Bracamonte, Villares De La Reina, Forfoleda, Linares De Riofrío

For the higher-level travel overview: Salamanca.