Caballar between Springs, Paths and Traditions

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción in Caballar was built in the 13th century and preserves a Romanesque atrium. Its barrel vault is unusual in the province of Segovia.

More local pages in the directory: Zamarramala, La Losa, Mata de Quintanar, Los Cortos, Castillejo De Mesleón, Pedraza, Aldeanueva De La Serrezuela and Las Navas De Riofrío.

Culture

The church also houses an 18th-century reliquary containing relics of Saints Engracia and Valentin. The connection between architectural history and local tradition can also be seen throughout the year: the Romería a la Fuente Santa takes place on the first Sunday in September, accompanied by a Mass commemorating Saints Valentin and Engracia. La Función is celebrated on the last weekend of October and includes a procession with Caballar’s traditional ritual dancers.

Landscape and Water

The Huertas de Caballar comprise gardens covering around 1 km². Historically, their irrigation has relied on the Fuente Fresnera and Fuente Redonda springs, whose flow remains relatively constant throughout the year. Numerous other springs and spring outlets in Caballar are karst springs, including Redonda, del Caño, Fresnera, Santa, Cagalar, del Obispo, de Covatillas, del Campillo and de D. Pascual. Their bicarbonate- and calcium-magnesium-rich water emerges from aquifers in the surrounding dolomite, sandstone and limestone.

Part of the municipality of Caballar lies within Sierra de Guadarrama National Park and the Natura 2000 network. The Los arroyos de Caballar route passes through the valleys of the Nava and Horco streams. Near Caballar, they merge to form the Mulas stream; the area is designated as a ZEPA and LIC of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Paths

The signposted Camino de San Frutos has a variant that passes through Caballar. Each of the two variants comprises five stages. The Ruta a la Fuente Santa is shorter: it follows a short walking route along the Camino de San Frutos and ends at the Ermita de los Santos Mártires.

The Fuentes de Caballar route starts in the village square and leads to the Fresnera, Redonda or de la Sartén, and Fuente Santa springs, as well as to the Romanesque Nuestra Señora de la Asunción church. The different route formats offer you a clear range of options for planning your time.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Caballar, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. Also check whether the desired period and chosen type of accommodation suit your plans.

Traditions

Las Mojadas is an extraordinary penitential procession held during periods of severe drought. During it, the relics of Saints Valentin and Engracia are immersed in the Fuente Santa. According to tradition, the heads of the martyrs were beheaded at the place later known as San Zoilo and thrown into the spring.

For the overarching travel overview: Segovia.