Roda de Eresma: Church, Archaeology and Eresma Valley

Roda de Eresma lies in the valley of the Eresma River, which has given the place its name since the 19th century. Previously, the settlement was simply called Roda. The place of Roda is first mentioned in an ecclesiastical document dated 1 June 1247. Here, therefore, the place name and local history meet across different periods.

Culture

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción has Romanesque origins. As a parish church, it stands on a small hill on the banks of the Eresma River south of the settlement. The building, its elevated location and the riverbank are among the defining features of this place.

Another testimony to times gone by is the Puente Canto. The bridge dates from the 3rd century and crosses the Arroyo Medel. Beside the Roman Puente Canto, near Roda de Eresma, there is a late-antique Roman necropolis from the 4th and 5th centuries AD. It was excavated by the archaeologist Antonio Molinero.

Several glass vessels were found in the necropolis. At least one of them had been imported from the Rhineland through the grain trade. This individual indication of origin thus supplements the discovery of several glass vessels with a connection to trade.

The archaeological route highlights the grave stele of Sabina. A rectangular-prismatic altar section is also among the noteworthy objects; it is associated with the continuation of indigenous traditions. Both objects are exhibited at the Provincial Museum of Segovia, while the route retains their connection to the find sites in Roda de Eresma.

The festival tradition is also part of the cultural character of the place. The San Antonio de Padua festival begins on Friday with a traditional dance to dulzaina music. Roda de Eresma also keeps alive a tradition closely connected with the rural festival calendar of the province of Segovia.

History

The existence of the municipality of Roda de Eresma has been documented since prehistoric times. Several remains of prehistoric settlements from different periods lie near the centre of Roda de Eresma. Together with the documentary mention from 1247 and the late-antique finds, the documented history of the place thus spans many periods.

Local history, archaeology and festival tradition each represent distinct historical and cultural themes in Roda de Eresma. The Roman bridge, the necropolis, the prehistoric settlement remains and the later evidence from the place make these different layers visible.

Landscape

Fuente Vieja lies outside Roda de Eresma, not far from the place, in an area established as a recreational zone. In addition to the Eresma river valley and the area along the church’s riverbank, a separate recreational area is therefore also part of the local landscape.

When comparing holiday apartments in Roda de Eresma, check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the respective offer page. Depending on your personal priorities, culture, archaeology, landscape or festival tradition may play a role in choosing your accommodation.

Other Places

Other places in the selection: Zamarramala, Tabanera del Monte, Collado Hermoso, Cabezuela, Trescasas, Matabuena, Chañe, Carbonero El Mayor

To the higher-level travel overview: Segovia.