Discover El Molar: Culture, Wine and Landscapes

El Molar lies west of the Jarama River and belongs to its drainage basin; the municipality encompasses mountain, countryside and riverside landscapes. A notable landmark is the Iglesia Parroquial de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora in El Molar: it is a monument of cultural interest, a Bien de Interés Cultural, or BIC for short.

Culture and History

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora was built in the 15th century as a single-nave Gothic temple. In several phases during the 16th century, it was transformed into a three-nave church, complemented by a Renaissance portico gallery.

At the beginning of May, El Molar celebrates the Fiesta de las Mayas. It dates back to the 16th century, is considered a living tradition and is recognised as a Bien de Interés Cultural. For this festival, altars decorated with flowers and branches are set up at the town hall. In the centre is the seat of the Maya, while women from the local association distribute bread, sweets and wine.

The Ermita de la Soledad is a chapel of Gothic origin and is considered the oldest chapel in the municipality. In the Vega of the Jarama River stands the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. del Remolino, a building constructed in the Neo-Mudéjar style from brick and masonry. It houses the image of the Virgen del Remolino, the patron saint and perpetual mayor of El Molar.

At the summit of Cerro de la Corneja stands the Ermita de San Isidro, offering views over Madrid. The chapel was built in 1896 by the architect Joaquín Kremel; its construction made it possible to hold religious services for visitors to the Balneario de la Fuente del Toro. During the eleventh edition of the Belén Viviente, the Cuevas de „El Charcón“ served as the setting. Around 160 volunteers portrayed society, the surroundings, buildings and figures from the time of Jesus's birth, as well as key events surrounding that birth, in 21 scenes.

Wine and Local Character

In March 2019, the fourth sub-zone of the D.O. Vinos de Madrid was approved; it bears the name „El Molar“. The Bodegas y Cuevas de El Molar comprise underground passages where El Molar wine is produced and stored. They are considered one of the few surviving examples of their kind in the Madrid region.

The Feria del Vino de El Molar takes place in the caves of La Torreta and combines the local wine culture with the historic underground landscape. It has become established on the regional cultural and tourism calendar and welcomes more than 5,000 people per edition. In the area around the Bodegas de La Torreta, a gastronomic offering featuring grilled meat and natural wines produced in El Molar has developed over the years.

Landscapes and Trails

Pinar de la Corneja is a park opened in 1949 on Cerro de la Corneja, associated with the municipality's early reforestation efforts. The Falla de El Molar is a classic geological feature of the Madrid region and is well known and widely visited.

El Molar has hiking and cycling routes to Los Pajares and Las Antiguas Fuentes; one variant connects the town with the CiclaMadrid cycling network. The route „El Camino del Anillo“ is 122 kilometres long and is completed over seven days and seven nights. The meeting point for cycling tourists is at the Polideportivo Municipal de El Molar on Avda. de la Constitución s/n.

When searching for a holiday apartment in El Molar, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on accommodation listing pages. These options can be tailored to your own priorities among culture, wine, landscapes and active trails.

Other Places

El Berrueco, Valdeolmos, La Hiruela, Robledillo De La Jara, Rozas De Puerto Real, La Serna Del Monte, Valdelaguna, Las Herreras

For the higher-level travel overview: Madrid.