Discover Cebreros: the Camino de Santiago, history and wine

Cebreros brings together the Camino de Levante, buildings from different periods, Sala Universo, and a strong tradition of wine and festivities. When looking for a hotel in Cebreros, you can first consider whether the Camino de Santiago, cultural history, a festival or the wine tradition is the main reason for your trip.

The Camino de Santiago and literary connections

The Camino de Levante, one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago, passes through Cebreros. From San Martín de Valdeiglesias, it reaches the town via a 14.27-kilometre stretch; from Cebreros, a 37.2-kilometre stage continues to Ávila. This makes it possible to consider the two sections separately: the route to Cebreros and the next stage towards Ávila. If you are combining your trip with the pilgrimage route, you can factor these distances into your own stage planning.

Another cultural connection is the Ruta Cela. It links Cebreros with the periods when the writer Camilo José Cela stayed there between 1947 and 1950. During this time, he completed La Colmena and found inspiration for works such as El gallego y su cuadrilla. The connection is therefore biographical and literary: it encompasses a specific period and several named works.

Architectural history and the ESA visitor centre

The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol showcases different influences on its architecture. Alonso de Covarrubias drew up the plans; the involvement of Pedro de Tolosa gave the building a distinctly Herrerian style. Its furnishings include polychrome pinewood works with gold leaf and paintings by Giuseppe de Leonardo. The Iglesia Vieja de Santiago is another historic landmark: it was built in the second half of the 14th century in the Elizabethan Gothic style and rebuilt in the 15th century.

La Picota adds a secular monument to this architectural history. The Rollo de justicia dates from the 16th century, is considered a symbol of Cebreros, and stands on the historic route between Valladolid and Toledo. Together, these three places point to different aspects of history: church architecture, a rebuilding, and a monument to the administration of justice.

Cebreros is also home to Sala Universo, the European Space Agency (ESA) visitor centre. It presents the ESA’s activities and missions throughout its history, as well as various resources the organisation offers for everyday life. Digital tools and accessible explanations shape how the information is presented. Sala Universo therefore offers a different focus from the historic buildings: space exploration, missions and how they are communicated take centre stage.

Valsordo and the Romería

The hermitage and surrounding area of Valsordo lie just over two kilometres from Cebreros, towards the Valsordo bridges, where the Alberche flows past. The area is home to pine trees, rockroses and numerous Garnacha Cebrereña grapevines. The landscape thus brings together a variety of plants and local viticulture.

The Romería also takes place in the area around the Valsordo hermitage, on the first Sunday in May. The procession around the hermitage ends with an auction and bidding for the banzos. If you are travelling specifically for the occasion, check the date for the relevant year before planning your stay.

Festivals, wine and regional sweets

The Cebreros Carnival is considered a tradition that has been celebrated in the town for more than two hundred years. In 2021, it was recognised as a Festival of National Tourist Interest in Spain. The carnival includes a competition for carnival sweets: anyone can take part, and visitors can sample the entries.

Cebreros’ traditional cuisine is particularly known for its sweets and wine. Traditional sweets include rosquillas, huesillos, retorcidos, mantecados, flores, magdalenas and sequillos. Wine is also part of the grape harvest festival programme, which includes tastings and talks by wineries and oenologists, as well as a grape-cutting and grape-treading competition.

Tierras de Cebreros offers guided cellar tours and wine tastings at its location in Cebreros. Check the winery’s booking information before your visit. Many wineries in the wider Cebreros wine region also organise cellar tours and wine and food events.

Discover more destinations: Ávila, Mombeltrán, Peñalba De Avila, Adanero, Arévalo, El Barraco, Santo Tomé De Zabarcos, Gallegos.

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