20-06-2018
The Community of Madrid not only beats at the rhythm of music, but also of heritage, culture, art and nature.
Do you seek heritage? Well, some Unesco World Heritage cities are waiting for you: Aranjuez, San Lorenzo de El Escorial and Alcalá de Henares.
Or do you prefer nature? The Sierra del Rincón with its Hayedo de Montejo is waiting for you to discover how Unesco merges with nature, and capitalizes the N for Natural Heritage of Humanity.
Or do squares fascinate you? Chinchón and Colmenar de Oreja want to show you their charms.
Do you fancy a wine or two? Let’s talk about wineries and vineyards.
Do you prefer monasteries? From the majestic work of the Monastery of San Lorenzo, through El Paular to Pelayos de la Presa we could talk about so much ...
Or do you dream about being the king of your own castle? The imposing Castillo de Manzanares opens its doors at the foot of a unique mountain range ...
All of these places, and many more, are easily reachable by car, public transport, walking at your own pace or enjoying the bike within the 420 km that CiclaMadrid offers at your disposal.
Do not forget to visit:
1. The Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial: a jewel in the midst of exceptional natural surroundings. The Library stands out containing Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Arabic and Castilian manuscripts and its Basilica, in which treasures are hidden such as the beautiful Crucified Christ of Benvenuto Cellini.
2. Aranjuez. In a privileged natural and cultural setting, on the banks of the Tagus River, is the Villa de Aranjuez, one of the Royal Sites of the Crown of Spain. Famous for its Palace and Gardens, considered the most beautiful of its time, they have served as an inspiration to artists such as the composer Joaquín Rodrigo or the painter Santiago Rusiñol.
3. Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Cervantes and a lively city with bustling streets, squares and terraces, highlighted by the Complutense University founded in 1499, the Corral de Comedias of 1601, the Colegio de San Ildefonso with its Plateresque façade of the middle of the century XVI and other impressive buildings such as the Magistral Cathedral and the convent of Las Bernardas.
4. Chinchón. At 45 km from Madrid and surrounded by the vineyards and olive trees of the Vega del Tajuña, it stands out for its dreamy Plaza Mayor, its streets full of history and a local cuisine that can be tasted in inns and restaurants without forgetting the old monastery of the Augustinians, now a National Parador, or the parish church of Our Lady of the Assumption that holds a splendid Goya canvas inside.
5. Nature at its best: Madrid is fortunate to have such diverse and ecologically valuable places as the Hayedo de Montejo, the National Park of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra del Rincón or places taken from a canvas such as Pinar de Abantos and Bosque de la Herrería, among other unique spaces.
Search what you seek, as the Community of Madrid has it all.
Do not miss the sounds of Madrid!
