Discover Campo Real: Church, Nature Trails and Regional Specialties

The Iglesia Parroquial de Santa María del Castillo stands on a hill in an elevated position overlooking the surroundings and defines the townscape of Campo Real. Since 1981, it has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of Monumento Histórico-Artístico. Its architecture combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements. Remains of a Hispano-Arabic castle were used in its construction; the church is surrounded by the remains of the fortress’s defensive wall.

Culture and History

The history of the town’s religious architecture includes several chapels associated with different periods. The Ermita de la Virgen de las Angustias is the oldest chapel in the municipality of Campo Real and dates from the 16th century. The Ermita de la Virgen de los Remedios was also built in the 16th century and was rebuilt in the 18th century. The Baroque Ermita del Santo Cristo de la Peña was built in 1717 behind the Plaza Mayor in the centre of Campo Real.

The Palacio de los Condes de Oñate was built in Campo Real in the mid-17th century. It had stables and its own garden, whose cultivated areas were supplied with water by a waterwheel and a basin. The town’s history also includes a pottery industry with up to 30 potteries, where Arab kilns were used. The Museo de Alfarería y Productos Típicos is closed until further notice due to renovation and adaptation work.

Nature and Trails

The landscape around Campo Real is characterised by olive groves and plants typical of the Alcarria region, such as thyme, rosemary and rockrose. There are numerous hiking and cycling routes in and around Campo Real for outdoor recreation. The nature trails near Campo Real include the “Campo Real. Cerro de los Rosales y la Vega” route.

The Vega de Valdemembrillo was designed as a recreational woodland park with benches and paths; a spring was channelled as part of the work. In Parque de La Fuente, there is a livestock watering trough fed by a spring, with a wash basin beside it; today, the area has been designed as a shaded summer garden. Along the nature trails near Campo Real, visitors may observe hares, partridges, foxes, great bustards, wild boar and small birds of prey, among other animals.

Regional Products

Aceitunas de Campo Real have held the Denominación de Calidad Aceitunas de Campo Real quality designation since 1995. They include the Manzanilla de Campo Real and Manzanilla Cacereña varieties; traditionally, they are marinated with natural ingredients such as thyme, fennel, oregano and garlic. Olive oil from Campo Real is produced from the Manzanilla and Cornicabra varieties typical of the area.

In the mid-20th century, 14 livestock farmers from Campo Real joined together to produce sheep’s cheese using traditional methods; this led to the creation of the Cooperativa Castellana de Ganaderos. Rosemary honey harvested in the landscapes around Campo Real is golden and slightly fruity. Cultural sites, nature trails and regional products therefore offer different focal points for planning your own trip.

Festivals and Customs

Every year on 14 September, a procession for the Santísimo Cristo de la Peña takes place through the streets of Campo Real. On the weekend after the feast of San Isidro, the Romería del Santo travels from the Plaza de Campo Real with decorated floats to the Vega de Valdemembrillo, where a picnic takes place.

Other destinations in the area include Torremocha De Jarama, Becerril De La Sierra, Aldea Del Fresno, Canencia, Colmenar Del Arroyo, Las Herreras, La Estación and Colmenarejo.

Getting There

Campo Real can be reached via the A-3 Madrid–Valencia motorway, exit 22, as well as via the M-209. The M-209 connects to the A-3 at La Poveda and leads to Arganda del Rey.

For the higher-level travel overview: Madrid.