Puntos de Interés
Municipality
San Martín de Rubiales
San Martín de Rubiales is a town in the province of Burgos, situated close to the border with Valladolid. It is located within the Ribera del Duero region.
This Burgos municipality is situated 8 km from Roa and 30 km from Aranda de Duero and is bordered by the Duero River.
The town has a long history, with its origins dating back to the 11th century. In 1007, the Battle of Socastillo, also known as the Battle of San Martín, took place. This was a significant event in the region's history, as it involved Christian troops confronting the son of Almanzor, who was then governor of Islamic Iberia.
As a historical curiosity, in the year 1200, the then King of Castile, Alfonso VII, ordered the construction of a hospital near the Rubiales bridge. This hospital served to assist travellers crossing the surrounding paths on their way to Santiago. Following the handover of the hospital to the Monastery of Santa María la Real a few years later, it continued to operate until the mid-17th century. However, no remains of the structure exist today.
The municipality of San Martín was formed by the merger of three villages in the area: Rubiales, Quintanilla and San Martin.
The town's monuments include the parish church of San Martín de Rubiales, a 16th-century building located in the municipality's highest point. Due to the limited space available for construction, the building comprises only two naves. The interior features a carving of the Virgen Dolosa from the 18th century, crafted by the Riosecana de los Sierra school of imagery.
The chapel of San Juan, situated on the outskirts of the town on the banks of the Duero river, is notable for its distinctive religious architecture, which appears to date back to the early 18th century.
Another of San Martín's attractions is its wine cellars, some of which are 1,600 years old. The so-called Camino de Las Bodegas is the ideal route for visitors who wish to gain access to the great families of the locality.
The following take place on: 24 June: San Juan festivities, including a procession to the chapel; 8 September: Nativity of Our Lady; and 1 November: Patron saint festivities in honour of San Martín de Tours.
This town is renowned for its festivals, including: the El Milenio festival commemorates the Battle of Rubiales between Castilian and Muslim troops. The Pingado de mayo, a rite that has been celebrated since the 16th century, symbolises the beginning of spring. The "passing of the torch" is a celebration in which the new generations receive from their predecessors the history, heritage and traditions of the town of San Martín de Rubiales.