Manzanares el Real

Manzanares El Real

Manzanares El Real, 50 km from Madrid, is located in the Upper Manzanares River Basin Regional Park and has a great natural and cultural wealth. La Pedriza – granite rocks polished by erosion – lies within this municipal area. Hundreds of animal and plant species are also to be found in Manzanares. In terms of culture, the Mendoza Castle (Castillo de los Mendoza) is a relevant example of what Manzanares El Real holds.

History

The origin of the name Manzanares El Real has several interpretations. Some relate it to the abundance of apple trees in the area; others point to an Arabic origin in the terms “Maza” (inn, residence, palace) and “Nares” (the river), which together would suggest the meaning “palatial river”.

Whatever the toponymy, Manzanares El Real can truly pride itself on its historical depth. The first people to inhabit the area did so in Prehistory, as proven by archaeological remains found locally. In 1987, a child discovered rock paintings during an outing in Los Aljibes de La Pedriza: anthropomorphic figures in a brownish-reddish ochre, dating to the Late Bronze Age (c. 1400–1200 BC). Ceramic fragments and stone tools from the Neolithic and Bronze Age have also been found.

Later inhabitants are said to have included druids, who are believed to have lived in the area around 1000 BC—an idea supported by echoes of their rites in local tradition (notably the religious celebration of the Virgin of Peña Sacra) and by the rock formation itself, Peña Sacra, where sacrifices were said to have been performed.

The Romans were the next settlers in the region and, during the Roman conquest, conflicts left their mark, including what is thought to have been a Roman presence in Manzanares, a remnant of that civilisation. After this came the Visigothic period and later the Arab conquest, though few traces remain from either.

The town as such was founded in 1248, when many Madrilenians travelled south during the Reconquista for the conquest of Seville, while Segovian shepherds repopulated Manzanares—according to testimony in a letter issued by Ferdinand III. Manzanares was the centre of a broad region rich in forests and pastureland, and from then on the struggle for control between Segovians and Madrilenians was constant.

Alfonso X “the Wise” sought to resolve the conflict by establishing Manzanares El Real as the royal head (cabeza real) of a broader project: the Real de Manzanares, with the principal settlement at its centre and 17 further villages. Even so, the area continued to pass back and forth between Segovian and Madrilenian hands until, finally, John I granted the territory to Pedro González de Mendoza in 1383. Under the Mendoza lineage, the Real de Manzanares reached its greatest splendour in the 15th and 16th centuries.

From the late 15th century, Manzanares entered a golden era of landmark construction: the church, the hermitage and the Mendoza Castle, among others. Yet ties to the Mendoza family did not bring complete stability, as the death of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza (Pedro’s son) triggered a succession dispute among his descendants. The conflict was resolved after his wife’s death, when the lands passed to Íñigo López de Mendoza, Marquis of Santillana.

In the 16th century many of Manzanares El Real’s key buildings were erected, including the Parish Church of Our Lady of the Snows, the Town Hall, and the hermitages of Our Lady of Solitude and Our Lady of Peña Sacra. Despite the growing architectural grandeur, the town’s wider importance gradually declined through the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. As most of the villages that formed the Real de Manzanares became independent, the entity lost relevance. The fact that the Mendoza family settled permanently in Guadalajara and sidelined the castle also contributed to the town’s relative neglect.

The 17th century marked a period of full decline, reflected in population loss: in 1517 there were 250 households, while by 1594 the figure had fallen to 189 inhabitants. In the 18th century, the Cadastre of Ensenada showed Manzanares as a small town with barely 40 households. Life remained largely unchanged, based on agriculture, complemented by moderate livestock farming. Three mills supplied flour to the region.

At the start of the 19th century, Manzanares was part of the province of Madrid and the population continued to decrease, only beginning to recover towards the end of the century. The town still relied on agriculture, but as Spain moved into the contemporary era, the first industries brought signs of renewal—most notably a continuous paper factory, reportedly the first of its kind in Spain.

In the first half of the 20th century, Manzanares experienced slight demographic growth, which accelerated from the 1960s onwards: the population rose from 829 (1960) to 1,137 (1970) and 1,475 (1980). This was driven by the appearance of weekend homes occupied by people from Madrid seeking peace and quiet. Over time, local life shifted decisively towards the service sector and, more specifically, tourism. Today, Manzanares El Real is one of the most visited and charming destinations in the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Culture

Walking the streets of Manzanares el Real is an adventure in itself. In just a few steps, you can be transported to the medieval age of castles; with a little imagination, back to prehistory; and then forward again into the modern era. Tradition has given the town a distinctive glow—everything seems to shine a little brighter here.

Mendoza Castle (Castillo de los Mendoza)

Calle del Castillo, s/n · Manzanares El Real

This castle—and the older fortress that preceded it—witnessed centuries of royal hunts by the Kings of Castile across the vast territory of the Real de Manzanares, where deer, wild boar and even bears were once common quarry. Over the centuries, this privileged natural setting gradually became the network of municipalities that today make up the Sierra de Guadarrama.
The castle was commissioned by Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Duke of the Infantado, around 1475, replacing the simpler “old” castle located on the other side of the town—also well worth visiting, ideally with a guide who can bring it to life.
The new Mendoza Castle owes much to the crucial contribution of Juan Guas, master stonemason and architect to the Catholic Monarchs. His influence is visible in the Gothic details of the crown and interior—especially the large southern gallery and the arcaded courtyard, remarkable in scale for its time. The complex also includes a three-nave church.
Today, these spaces can be enjoyed through the wide range of activities held at the castle for visitors of all ages.

Town Hall

Plaza del Pueblo, 1.

Manzanares El Real Town Hall occupies a modern three-storey building. At the top runs a continuous gallery supported by wooden posts, with a simple wrought-iron balcony featuring ringed bars, in a recognisably 20th-century style. Entry is through a portico supported by five granite columns.

Old Castle (Castillo Viejo)

Its remains lie beyond the River Manzanares, beside the old cemetery. Only two walls are still standing, along with documentary references dating back to around 1344, when King Alfonso XI granted the Real de Manzanares to his mistress Leonor de Guzmán.
It was later inhabited by the Mendoza family, but when work began on the new castle in 1475, the older fortress was effectively abandoned to history. Architecturally, it had a square plan with three circular corner towers and a fourth square tower—the keep. Its circular towers formed a Mudéjar work in granite stone with brick banding.

Hermitage of Our Lady of Peña Sacra

C / Virgin of the Dangers, 25.

Set at the foot of La Pedriza, the hermitage stands on the rock from which Peña Sacra takes its name. The building dates to the 16th century, constructed in ashlar masonry; additional dependencies in rubble masonry were added in the 17th century.
Various writings link Peña Sacra to druid worship—Celtic priests said to have conducted rites in these woods during the first millennium BC. Devotion to the Virgin is documented from the early 16th century and has grown ever since. To this day, the Pilgrimage of the Virgin of Peña Sacra is held on the first Sunday of Pentecost.
A notable episode took place in 1769: during the celebration, candles around the image caught fire, destroying much of the church—only the sacristy was saved. The Virgin’s statue also burned. A new image was made, but it disappeared in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. The current figure is a modern copy of the 19th-century image.

Parish Church of Our Lady of the Snows

Cura Street, 1.

According to existing documentation, the church appears to have been founded in the early 14th century, under the protection of the first Marquis of Santillana. Its architectural style is difficult to define due to multiple alterations, resulting in a blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements without a single unified style.
It has three naves separated by arches on stone columns. The central nave, Romanesque in character, leads to a pentagonal presbytery. The tower has three sections divided by string courses. The sacristy, built later, features Gothic rib vaulting, while the portico dates to the mid-16th century and is a purist Renaissance work.

Ethnological and Archaeological Museum

C / Cañada, 26.

Founded in 1992 and located in the House of Culture, the museum has two rooms: one dedicated to ethnology and another to archaeology. The ethnology section recreates the layout of a traditional home and displays objects linked to local trades and everyday life. The archaeology room showcases finds recovered from various excavations within the municipality.

Puente Viejo (Old Bridge)

Its history is uncertain, though documentation places it in the 16th century. Originally stone-built, it was destroyed by flooding, rebuilt in wood, and—after that structure deteriorated—replaced by the present bridge, made from local granite with unevenly cut ashlars. The paving is the same material. It has a semicircular arch, with the sides supported on the riverbanks and anchored into the rock.

Festivals and traditions

Summer is the prime season to enjoy Manzanares el Real’s festivities—patron celebrations and magical nights take centre stage—though there are highlights throughout the year.

• Feast of Our Lady, the Virgin of Peña Sacra (Pentecost): The town’s patron celebrations begin on the first Saturday of Pentecost at dusk, when the Virgin is brought down from her hermitage. The community gathers by a granite boulder known as “la piedra”, near the Old Castle. The Salve is sung, and a procession leads to the church, headed by the Brotherhood banner and a brass band. On arrival, flowers are offered, Mass is celebrated, and the Virgin’s hymn is sung—followed by dancing in the square until dawn. On Pentecost Sunday there is a High Mass and procession through the main streets, with dancing again in the afternoon.

• Feast of the Virgin of the Snows (5 August): A High Mass is held in honour of the Virgin, surrounded by celebrations before and after the date: the selection of the town queen and her court, morning bull runs and afternoon bullfights, sports competitions and exhibitions. On the final day, the town prepares and distributes a traditional meal of bull stew with potatoes in the main square.

• Fiesta of Cristo de la Nave (mid-September): Celebrated with sports activities, concerts and dancing. On 14 September, there is a High Mass with a floral offering, followed by a procession through the main streets. A popular lemonade is served afterwards in the square, and dancing continues late into the night.

Nature

River, mountain, valley—Manzanares offers it all. The town sits within the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park, includes much of La Pedriza within its boundaries, and is crossed by the River Manzanares.

Canto Cochino Recreation Area

M-608 Road. La Pedriza.

Located within La Pedriza, this recreation area offers parking, benches, tables and litter bins. It’s an ideal place to be outdoors, immerse yourself in nature and observe a wide variety of flora and fauna.

La Pedriza Visitor Centre (Sierra de Guadarrama National Park)

Camino de La Pedriza s / n.

The centre comprises two buildings about 150 metres apart.

The main building—home to the National Park’s environmental education area—features the permanent exhibition “Journey to the Sierra de Guadarrama”, taking visitors from high peaks down to the valleys. Outside, nine themed areas explore different aspects of the Sierra, including an adapted route for visitors with visual impairment. Both the centre and facilities are accessible for visitors with reduced mobility. The site has implemented an ISO 14001 and EMAS environmental management system.

The Visitor Information Point, located just beyond the barrier at the entrance to La Pedriza, provides leaflets, route maps, and practical advice. It also includes a room hosting rotating temporary exhibitions and is accessible for visitors with reduced mobility.

Manzanares El Real Reservoir (Santillana Reservoir)

One of the Community of Madrid’s key water supply sources. Construction was completed in 1908, and in 1971 capacity increased substantially with the building of a new 40-metre-high dam. The original structure is now largely submerged; only the top of the neo-Gothic tower and part of the dyke remain visible. The reservoir covers 1,044 hectares and can hold up to 91.2 hm³ of water.
Its presence has created a rich ecosystem where fish such as pike and carp, as well as aquatic plants and birds, are prominent.

Quebrantaherraduras Viewpoint

Located in La Pedriza (Manzanares El Real), with exceptional views of La Pedriza’s dramatic granite formations, the Cuerda Larga ridge, pine woodland and the headwaters of the River Manzanares.
To reach it, take the M-608 to kilometre 25.7, then follow the turn-off towards Canto Cochino. Binoculars are recommended to fully appreciate the landscape.

Monte de El Chaparral Viewpoint

Reached from the M-608 by taking the turn-off towards the reservoir and, after crossing it, following a track uphill to Monte de El Chaparral.
The viewpoint identifies ten key landscape units of the Sierra, including: Hueco de San Blas; the dehesas of Manzanares, Cerceda and Soto; the hills of Navacerrada and Collado Mediano; La Maliciosa; the Cuerda Larga; the Sierra de los Porrones; and La Pedriza. Binoculars and a location map are highly recommended.

River Manzanares

As it passes through Manzanares El Real, the river’s waters are clean and fast-flowing—ideal for visitors to enjoy. It rises at the Ventisquero de la Condesa (in La Pedriza) and runs for 87 kilometres to its confluence with the River Jarama.