Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Navaleno
Navaleno is a small Soria town with a population of around 776. The town sits in a valley nestled between the rocky mountains of the northwest of the Iberian System, such as Neila, Urbión and Cebollera, and the expansive plains of the banks of the River Duero. Navaleno and its surrounding also boasts a multitude of natural landscapes that are key to the town's economy and which make it an important attraction for nature lovers and rural tourism. This meant a thriving and vibrant economy so that, like many parts of rural Spain, in the mid-20th century Navaleno not only maintained its population, but it in fact doubled in little more than two decades.
In the areas surrounding the town, extensive pine forests alternate with oak, beech and juniper woods. This tree vegetation has proven essential for this area, not only from an environmental point of view, but also from an economic point of view too. Traditionally, these forests were the main source of livelihood for Navaleno, the timber industry being one of the main economic activities in the town. One of the primary uses of the timber was the construction of carts, one of the most common occupations for locals throughout its history.
Navaleno is also something of a mecca of mycology, seemingly attracting more mushroom hunters every year. Among the pine forests fungi lovers come in search of treasures like the boletus, the níscalo or saffron milk cap and the seta de los caballeros, or yellow knight. In 2007, a Mycological Centre even opened in the town, offering mushroom enthusiasts the resources and information they need to really enjoy the activity. Every year the residents of the comarca of Pinares hold a mycology festival with a number of activities ranging from conferences to tastings and exhibitions all centred around the humble mushroom.
Apart from funghi, the extensive Soria forests are also a refuge for many animal species, where birds of prey and vultures dominate. It is not unusual to see mammals such as wild boar, roe deer and foxes in these surroundings, as well as the odd wolf.
Although the main attraction of this municipality is the pine forests that surround the town centre, Navaleno also has some other attractions like the stone houses in the popular architectural style of the region, and some religious buildings like the Church of San Esteban Protomártir and the Shrine of San Roque.
Navaleno's big local festivals are held on the feast day of San Esteban, St Stephen’s Day 26 December with a bonfire at night, used to cook traditional local cuisine. Then, in mid-August, the local festivals of San Roque and La Asunción de la Virgen take place, during which with a series succession of cultural and entertainment activities organised.