Pedrezuela: Casitos, Church and Embalse

Pedrezuela is practically the only place in the Community of Madrid with Casitos; almost one hundred have been documented. Most of these structures are located by the river on the slopes of Cerro de San Pedro. In Parque de la Casilla, in the town centre, residents of the Hogar del Pensionista de Pedrezuela made a replica of a Casito in 1992, which is regarded as a symbol of Pedrezuela.

When comparing holiday apartments in Pedrezuela, check the room category and cancellation conditions on the respective listing pages in addition to the travel dates. The thematic selection of the destination ranges from culture and festival traditions to waterscapes and trails; these focuses can be weighted separately when planning your own trip.

Other options include Piñuécar, Velilla De San Antonio, Meco, Moralzarzal, Carabaña, El Boalo, Las Herreras and Montejo De La Sierra.

History and culture

The Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel Arcángel in Pedrezuela features architectural elements from the 16th century and combines late Gothic characteristics with a Romanesque tower of Segovian origin.

Next to the entrance of the Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel Arcángel is a sundial dating from 1685; the entrance dates from the 17th century.

The Carta Puebla is a resettlement document dated 1331, associated with the beginning of Pedrezuela as an autonomous Concejo.

The Museo Agrícola y de Labranza in Pedrezuela is a museum of ethnography and anthropology and is open to the public.

For tourist visits, the Iglesia Parroquial de San Miguel Arcángel is usually open on Saturday mornings; guided tours can be arranged by telephone in advance.

Festivals and traditions

The Fiesta de la Vaquilla takes place every year on 20 January together with the festival of San Sebastián; the participants are the 17-year-old Acompañantes and the 18-year-old Quintos.

In 2011, the Fiesta de la Vaquilla was recognised by the Community of Madrid as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Regional.

During the Fiesta de la Vaquilla, the Gurramaches walk through Pedrezuela and make the bells worn around their hips ring; this forms part of the initiation ritual.

Landscape and trails

The Embalse de Pedrezuela covers an area of 415 hectares and also forms part of the LIC/ZEC Cuenca del río Guadalix protected-area network.

The scope of the Plan de Ordenación del Embalse de Pedrezuela covers parts of the municipalities of Guadalix de la Sierra, Pedrezuela and Venturada.

The Río Guadalix and the Pedrezuela dam are suitable for cycling or hiking.

The «Azud del Mesto» route is 13.5 km long and runs through the Mesto area. The official «Ruta 4 Estaciones» route passes through the Cañón del Guadalix.

For the broader travel overview: Madrid.