Moralzarzal: the best quality of life surrounded by nature

Moralzarzal

Moralzarzal covers an area of 43.5 km² and lies on the foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama. As a result, it enjoys a distinctive mountain climate, with cold winters and dry, hot summers. The municipality borders Becerril de la Sierra to the north; El Boalo–Cerceda–Mataelpino to the north-east; Manzanares el Real and Colmenar Viejo to the east; Hoyo de Manzanares, Torrelodones and Galapagar to the south; Collado Villalba and Alpedrete to the west; and Collado Mediano to the north-west.

History

Permanent settlement in Moralzarzal was established by shepherds from Segovia during the Reconquista, although there are indications that the area had been inhabited earlier. These include two archaeological sites and Arab remains, among them a fortress, burials and coins. The region was long disputed by communities from Madrid and Segovia, and the municipality was incorporated into the Real de Manzanares.

During the 14th and 15th centuries, the settlement passed through different noble hands. It was granted the status of villa in 1636, and in 1833 it was definitively incorporated into the province of Madrid, after having belonged to Guadalajara. Before acquiring its current name, the village appears to have comprised two population centres: Fuente del Moral—the main nucleus—and Zarzal, a neighbourhood or hamlet dependent on the former. Over time the two merged to form Moralzarzal, a history still reflected in the municipality’s heraldic coat of arms.

The Cadastre of the Marqués de la Ensenada (1572) describes the municipality as a manorial settlement belonging to the Duchess of the Infantado, as one of the towns of the Real de Manzanares. At that time, the population consisted of one hundred households living in one hundred houses and, alongside typical agricultural buildings, there was also a hospital with a surgeon.

The municipality’s origins meant that livestock farming became one of the principal activities for local inhabitants. Moralzarzal had abundant pastureland, water, and six drove routes, including the Cañada Real Segoviana. Herds were mainly made up of sheep, cows, pigs, goats and horses. Historical documents cited by various authors record that, by the end of the 19th century, the area had 1,400 head of sheep and goats, 800 cattle, 200 horses, and 68 donkeys. Other important occupations included subsistence farming (cereals, pulses and vegetables), beekeeping, and the sale of firewood, charcoal and stone—the last of which became increasingly significant over time. From the mid-20th century onwards, the service sector expanded considerably to meet the needs of visitors to Moralzarzal, who at certain times of year double the resident population.

These traditional trades shaped the town’s urban architecture: typically rural buildings in granite rubble masonry, rectangular in plan, usually one or two storeys high, and roofed with curved clay tiles. Many homes included farm-related outbuildings—haylofts, pens, stables—though these could also stand separately within the village centre. Over time, more “urban-rural” homes were built, followed by newer developments. From the second half of the 20th century, tourism encouraged the growth of second homes.

In 1910, Moralzarzal had 804 inhabitants; in 1920, 773; in 1930, 822; in 1940, 770; and in 1950, 774. From that point, growth became steadier and rose significantly, reaching around 10,000 permanent residents by 2005.
Today, Moralzarzal is a modern municipality that has adapted to changing times while preserving its traditional spirit—still visible in parts of the village and, above all, in its festivals and celebrations.

Culture

Moralzarzal’s artistic heritage finds its most notable expressions in the Church of San Miguel Arcángel and the clock known as “Frascuelo”. A walk through the streets is also highly recommended, offering plenty of opportunities to appreciate what the town has to offer.

Town Hall

Plaza de la Constitución, 1
Moralzarzal Town Hall stands on Plaza de la Constitución. It is a two-storey stone building crowned by a small tower housing the century-old clock known as Frascuelo. The square also features a 19th-century fountain.

San Miguel Arcángel Church

Glorieta del Caño, 5
Built between the 16th and 17th centuries, the church was constructed in rubble masonry with reinforcing dressed-stone quoins, except for the tower, which is built of irregular ashlar in two sections separated by a moulding decorated with stone balls. The church has a single nave with a square chancel and an attached sacristy. Inside, the 16th-century holy-water font, decorated with Gothic motifs, is particularly noteworthy.

Festivals and traditions

Moralzarzal has kept many of its long-established traditions, while also adding more recent celebrations that provide the perfect complement. Religious, traditional and popular festivals are spread throughout the year, so there is always something to enjoy.

 • Fiestas de la Luminaria (January): a traditional celebration in honour of San Sebastián. Locals gather around a bonfire and are offered hot chocolate with churros and sponge biscuits.

• Cruz de Mayo (early May): celebrated with a procession through the village and Mass at the hermitage in Parque de la Tejera. Afterwards, a barbecue is enjoyed with wine, alongside cultural shows and children’s activities

• Patron Saint Festivities (late September): a week of events and entertainment for all ages, including bullfights, children’s activities, live music, communal meals and leisure events.

• Fiesta de las Puches (1 November): a celebration recalling the social gatherings of years gone by. With music, locals enjoy the traditional dessert known as puches, prepared by Moralzarzal’s older women.

Nature

Moralzarzal’s location in the Sierra de Guadarrama gives it a distinctive climate, with cold winters and dry, hot summers. This also shapes its natural environment, which is particularly characterised by abundant water—including the Navacerrada River, springs and streams—alongside pine, oak, poplar, broom, ash, rockrose and thyme, as well as more than 2,000 hectares of pastureland for grazing livestock.