Discover Chinchón: Culture, Nature and Holiday Apartments

The Plaza Mayor is an irregularly laid-out medieval square in Chinchón, lined with two- and three-storey houses featuring continuous wooden balconies. Its present-day enclosure dates from 1683; the square was used for comedy performances, Juego de cañas, autos sacramentales and bullfighting events. When choosing a holiday apartment in Chinchón, you can compare cultural and historical sites, trails through the landscape, and regional production as distinct areas of interest. These themes can be clearly distinguished: around the Plaza Mayor and the religious buildings, local history takes centre stage, while Valdezarza, Valquejigoso and Laguna de San Juan represent different landscapes. Anise, wine and olive oil complement these historical and natural impressions with the perspective of regional production. This makes cultural visits, walks through the landscape and insights into production visible as separate themes.

Culture

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built between 1534 and 1626. It combines Gothic, Plateresque, Renaissance and Baroque stylistic elements. The former Augustinian monastery, founded in the 17th century by the fifth Counts of Chinchón, now houses the Parador de Turismo de Chinchón. The Torre del Reloj belonged to the former Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Chinchón’s oldest church, dating from the 14th century and destroyed during the Peninsular War.

History

La Pasión de Chinchón is an artistic and religious Passion play held on the evening of Holy Saturday at nightfall. In 1980, the Ministry of Trade and Tourism designated the performance a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional. The municipal tourist information office offers guided visit packages for individuals and groups. The interior of the Castillo de los Condes is not open to visitors because it is privately owned. At the Museo Etnológico La Posada, rooms and objects illustrate rural life in Chinchón in the past.

Nature

Valdezarza is a former stopping place for shepherds that is now equipped for recreational purposes. A route begins near the Castillo de los Condes and leads to the elevated Valquejigoso park, designed for recreational and children’s activities, with beautiful panoramic views. The route to Laguna de San Juan can be reached from Chinchón via three road connections. In the immediate vicinity of Chinchón lies Laguna de San Juan, a wetland protected since 1991 that serves as a refuge for the typical birdlife of wetland ecosystems. One route passes through the area’s only Quejigar.

Food and Production

Anís Chinchón has been produced since the 17th century, is 100 percent distilled, and is made exclusively with Matalahúga anise. A bodega founded in 1870 gives visitors the opportunity to learn about grape cultivation and wine-making processes. A historic Casa, almost 300 years old and measuring 3,000 square metres, where wine and olive oil were produced, offers guided tours on weekends and public holidays.

For further context within the same broader region, the following places are also included: Brunete, Las Herreras, Loeches, Cercedilla, Las Rozas De Madrid, Torrelodones, Villa Del Prado and Somosaguas.

For the broader travel overview: Madrid.