Moralzarzal between the Sierra and Cultural Heritage

More than 50% of Moralzarzal’s territory lies within the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares. This landscape setting connects the town with trails, dehesas, forests and streams that can be explored along different routes.

Nature

The Dehesa Nueva y Cerca de la Ladera route runs among holm oaks, junipers, pines and rockroses. From an elevated viewpoint, it offers panoramic views of the Sierra de Guadarrama and its towns. The route completely circles the Dehesa de Arriba, also known as Dehesa Nueva, and can be started at the Plaza de Toros or the municipal sports centre.

Dehesa Vieja is designated as a Monte de Utilidad Pública and comprises an ecosystem of ash-tree dehesa and oak woodland. One route leads from the Moralzarzal sports centre via the Cañada Real Segoviana to the Embalse de Santillana in Manzanares el Real. Another route also follows the Cañada Real Segoviana through the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares, across landscapes of ash-tree dehesa, oak woodland and pastureland, as well as Mediterranean forest.

Trails

Various starting points and landscapes are key to finding your way through the trail network. The Ríos y Riachuelos route begins at the intersection of Calle de las Erillas and Camino el Benarejo, follows important streams in Moralzarzal and reaches the Regajo de los Mares and the Río Navacerrada. The Camino de Becerril provides a historic walking connection between Moralzarzal and Becerril de la Sierra.

Ruta 10B Moralzarzal–Cerceda is a 4.4-kilometre linear route with a low level of difficulty. It connects the two towns and begins next to the car park of the Moralzarzal sports centre. Ruta 10B enters the Dehesa vecinal via a small wooden bridge near Moralzarzal, which crosses the Arroyo de Fuentidueña. The Cascada del Covacho route begins at the sports centre and can be undertaken on foot or by bicycle. Ruta Urbana is a walking route through the Plaza de Toros and Dehesa Vieja area of Moralzarzal.

History

Since 1980, the Chapter House of the monastery of the Calatrava nuns in Moralzarzal has housed the sculptures of San Benito and San Bernardo by José Benito de Churriguera; both have been classified as Bienes de Interés Cultural (BIC). The Fuente de los 4 Caños is considered one of Moralzarzal’s earliest fountains, dating from the early 17th century, and was renovated in 1885.

A water system built on the slopes of Matarrubia at the end of the 19th century channelled water to the fountains at the Plaza de la Constitución and the Fuente de los Cuatro Caños in the town centre. Sections of the original cast-iron pipework of the Atarjeas are still visible. The Atarjeas channelled and collected spring water from Monte del Robledo, whose source lies in the Grande and Peñalagua streams.

Moralzarzal’s vernacular architecture is characterised by granite, which can be found in the most important municipal buildings. The Ruta del Agua presents the architecture, stone and water of Moralzarzal as a legacy spanning several centuries. Engraved stones bearing the initials of the municipalities helped identify municipal boundaries.

Culture

Moralzarzal Theatre has 542 seats and a varied programme of theatre, cinema and music for different audiences. The cultural centre has spaces for exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography, as well as numerous culture-related workshops. It also organises film festivals and cycles featuring feature films and short films.

The Plaza de Toros de Moralzarzal hosts bullfighting festivals, rock and classical concerts, sports championships, fairs and Christmas celebrations.

More destinations

More destinations: Colmenar Del Arroyo, Braojos, Moraleja De Enmedio, Brea De Tajo, San Agustín Del Guadalix, El Gasco, Montejo De La Sierra, Arganda Del Rey.

Festivals and Traditions

Cruz de Mayo takes place on 3 May in Parque de La Tejera and is a local holiday. The focus is a communal rural meal in Parque de La Tejera, which the municipality offers free of charge to everyone present. The origins of Cruz de Mayo are associated with a tradition of the town’s quarry workers.

During the celebration held on 19 January, chocolate, churros and bizcochos are distributed around the bonfire. On 19 January, chocolate is prepared and churros and bizcochos are distributed around a large bonfire in Parque El Raso at 8 p.m.

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