Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Cascajares de la Sierra
Cascajares de la Sierra is a village located in the province of Burgos and has been inhabited from time immemorial. In fact, remains have been found that prove the existence of prehistoric settlements in the area. However, it was not until the Middle Ages that this locality was first mentioned in writing. Like many villages in the area, it was repopulated after the Christian reconquest; with legends recounting some of the decisive battles fought in these lands. The birth and development of the municipality as it is known today is closely linked to the Monastery of Pedro de Arlanza, built in the 10th century in Cascajares de la Sierra.
The architectural heritage of the locality include the large stone houses that stand out as an example of the popular architecture that is widespread in the area. Its religious buildings include the Church of La Natividad de Nuestra Señora, with vestiges of the Visigothic style, such as its presbytery and semicircular apse, denoting the historical period in which the original temple was built during the 12th century, although it would later undergo several remodelling works. It is a single-storey building with three ashlar and masonry naves that also conserves the Romanesque baptismal font from the original church.
Another of the great attractions of this small town in Burgos has nothing to do with its buildings, but rather with the privileged natural environment in which it is located, surrounded by steep hills. It is an area rich in biodiversity and is also of great value from an ornithological point of view. In fact, part of the municipality is included in the Sabinares del Arlanza Special Protection Area for Birds. In the surrounding area, visitors might see important colonies of griffon vultures and Egyptian vultures.
Cascajares de la Sierra is also home to some of the most important rivers in the region, providing the area with a unique landscape that can be enjoyed while walking along one of the local hiking trails to observe the nature of the Sierra de la Demanda up close.
The most important local festivals are the celebrations in honour of San Antonio de Pádua, which take place on 13 June. Another important date is 8 September when the villagers celebrate La Natividad de Nuestra Señora.
