Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Abejar
This town in Soria is known locally as "The Gateway to Pines," as it opens onto the natural surroundings of the Urbión mountain range, dotted with pine forests, and the Duero basin. The town is located in a natural setting with an enormous variety of landscapes: from the mountain peaks of the Urbión mountain range to vast expanses of pine forests. Also noteworthy is the Cuerda del Pozo reservoir, which has several recreational areas.
According to tradition, the town of Abejar was born from the merger of three existing settlements in the area. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, the town became an episcopal lordship, which led the bishop to encourage pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago from Aragon to pass through the town of Abejar. This led to the construction of the Hospital of San Sebastián, to accommodate devotees of the Jacobean route.
The town's economic boom, as with much of the Pinares region in which Abejar is located, occurred during the 17th and 18th centuries, driven primarily by the agricultural trade carried out by carts made from the wood of the surrounding pine forests. It was precisely during this period that the municipality was included as part of the Junta y Hermandad de la Real Cañada de Carretería Burgos-Soria (Board and Brotherhood of the Royal Cañada de Carretería Burgos-Soria). The route of the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental (Western Royal Cañada) also had a special impact on the development of Abejar, as one of the branches of this livestock route passes through the vicinity of the town.
Regarding the town's heritage, the Church of San Juan Bautista stands out, built in the 17th century on the site of an earlier church and containing an important Baroque altarpiece dating from the 17th century. Also noteworthy is the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Camino, located just 500 meters from the town center and built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier chapel.
Regarding Abejar's festivities, the Barrosa celebration stands out, taking place during Carnival and becoming one of the town's most typical festivals. It combines mythology and carnival: two Barroseros (or "quintos") carry the Barrosa, a bull-faced figure made of a wooden frame dressed in white fabric and adorned with colorful ribbons, while they beg for money and food through the streets of the town.
Other notable celebrations include the candlelight vigils in honor of San Blas, held in early February, and the pilgrimage of San Juan Bautista, which takes place on June 24th. Also in February, Abejar hosts a gastronomic celebration whose main objective is to spread and promote Soria cuisine: the Soria Truffle Fair. It has become one of the most important gatherings for the sector in our country.