Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Molinos de Duero
The municipality of Molinos de Duero, located in the heart of the Pinares region, is surrounded by a natural area of great beauty at the foot of the Picos de Urbión and on the banks of the river Duero. The landscape ensemble is home to the impressive Laguna Negra (Black Lagoon) and the Cuerda del Pozo reservoir.
The town has twice been designated a Tourist Municipality in the province of Soria. Its landscape heritage, part of which is included in the Natura 2000 Network, is one of the reasons for this recognition. Another reason is the architectural heritage of the town.
The town centre is home to several large stone and masonry houses, which serve as a testament to its historical significance as an important centre of the Real Cabaña de Carretería, an organisation created by Isabel la Católica in 1497 dedicated to the overland transport of goods by means of ox-drawn carts. Some historical documents indicate that Molinos de Duero had a herd of oxen numbering 2,617 in 1753, which were responsible for pulling 872 carts. Indeed, a monument in the town commemorates this significant event. It features a wagon with a wooden log under a porch dedicated to the Real Cabaña de Carreteros, with the dates 1497-1836.
The area boasts several buildings dating back to this period, including several mansions from the 16th and 18th centuries. The distinctive stone masonry façades of these buildings make them easily recognisable. Other notable features include the spacious vestibules, which facilitate loading and unloading, and the original pinewood chimneys.
However, the most significant edifice in the town is undoubtedly the parish church of San Martín de Tours, which, along with the church of Montenegro de Cameros, is the sole pair of Gothic churches in Soria with a Greek cross floor plan. The building was constructed in the 16th century, although some additions were made during the 17th century.
Other notable buildings in the town include the Real Posada de la Mesta, a fine example of traditional Soria construction, and the town hall. The latter was a former pious county granary built in 1789, which features an image of Saint Martin on horseback on the outside.
In terms of the celebrations held in Molinos, the most significant are those held in honour of the patron saint of Santiago Apóstol, which take place at the end of July. The festival features a variety of activities, including pine tree peeling and cutting, hand pelota, open-air dances, and the popular "caldereta" (stew) cooked in the Fuente del Cojo area. 11 November is Sanit Martin’s Day, patron saint of the town. There will be a procession and sung mass, as well as a tasting of traditional pastries, brandy and mellow wines in the Town Hall. Finally, it is worth noting the Pingada del mayo, an ancestral tradition in which, at the beginning of May, young and married men of the village cut down a pine tree and transport it by ox cart to the village square, where they "pingar" it.