Discover Valdesimonte: Gacería, Culture and Stream Landscape

Valdesimonte lies within the geographical area where Gacería is spoken, an intangible cultural heritage of Castilla y León. This tradition originated in the municipality of Cantalejo and was initially associated with the production of threshing equipment, which had been important for centuries. Those who wish to explore a place through its culture, landscape and trails will find different themes here that can be considered separately.

Culture

The Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción contains a Baroque high altar with surviving depictions of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Juan Gil created these depictions in 1595. The church was built in the Romanesque style; later restorations have changed its original appearance.

The parish church of Valdesimonte was the first parish appointment of the historian Diego de Colmenares, who remained there from 1611 to 1617. In the centre of Valdesimonte, there is also a permanent exhibition of contemporary sculptures.

On the outskirts of the village stands the hermitage of San Roque. It has a square floor plan and an entrance on the north side. Festive events in Valdesimonte include masses, processions and open-air musical events. In recent years, jazz and flamenco concerts have been added; the events last more than a week.

Landscape

Valdesimonte lies on the slope of a gentle hill beside a stream. The areas irrigated by streams near Valdesimonte feature typical riparian or alluvial forests. Visitors can enjoy a pleasant walk along the stream while listening to the sound of the flowing water.

Those who wish to consciously consider culture and landscape side by side can arrange the places and trails mentioned according to their own schedule.

Nature

The Las Hoces del Río Duratón Nature Park lies in the wider regional surroundings of Valdesimonte. It was established in 1989 and lies entirely within the Comunidad de Villa y Tierra de Sepúlveda. The nature park encompasses the municipalities of Carrascal del Río, Sebúlcor and Sepúlveda.

In this wider regional area, the nature park offers opportunities for canoeing on the Burgomillodo Reservoir and hiking on numerous trails. The combination of water and trails opens up different types of activities for travel planning.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Valdesimonte, compare travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions on the offer pages. You can consider the cultural sites, stream landscape and trails as separate themes in your personal travel planning.

More village pages:Saldaña de Ayllón, Casla, Carrascal Del Río, Riaza, Burgomillodo, Sauquillo de Cabezas, Sanchonuño, Matabuena

Trails

The walk along the stream and the circular route represent different trail formats; for your personal daily planning, you can classify both according to the desired length.

The Ruta de las Hoces del Río San Juan is a circular route approximately 18 km long. It passes a cave or shelter for shepherds as well as the San Juan Mill.

For the overarching travel overview: Segovia.