Villarrubia de Santiago
Hermitage of Castellar
Church of San Bartolomé Apóstol
Information from Villarrubia de Santiago:
Telephone: 925 150 281
Web: http://www.villarrubiadesantiago.es/historia.html
Info:
Tourist guide
Email: secretaria@villarrubiadesantiago.es
Villarrubia was populated in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the existence of the Hoyo de la Serna site, dating from the Second Iron Age. After the passage of the Carthaginians and Visigoths, the Muslim presence can be seen in the Fuente Vieja and around the hermitage of Castellar, in the place formerly known as Tormo, where the first population centre was located, which later moved to the present town. Its castle, which formed part of the defences of Toledo on its northern flank along with Oreja, Torrique and Alharilla, suffered Almohad attacks after the reconquest of Toledo. After being abandoned in 1180, Fernán González de Marañón, Master of the Order of Santiago founded Villarrubia in 1204. It would be from the 15th century onwards when this town became an entity with the construction of its parish church and the consolidation of its urban centre, together with its monuments the visitor can discover popular architecture and some examples of 19th century modernist architecture, such as the house of Lara, which means that in this municipality we find a fusion of architectural styles worthy of admiration.
This town is located on the moorlands of La Mesa de Ocaña, a dry and harsh natural environment, but you can also discover hidden springs, ponds and streams and around them, constructions and factories for the storage and human use of its fresh water for centuries. Fountains with frugal spouts, solitary troughs and traditional washing places are dotted around the ravines and depressions that are home to them. In these natural enclaves we will find unique habitats, some of which are protected for their geological and environmental interest. The morphology of its territory is responsible for the existence of landscapes that combine the austerity of La Mesa with the freshness of spaces where water is the protagonist, often hidden, emerging on the surface and giving rise to several springs. Ravines and ravines are a distinctive sign of the natural wealth of Villarrubia de Santiago, which, together with cliffs and hills, form a parched, whitish landscape that greens up in the proximity of the river. Land crossed by the Tagus River, which provides not only a wealth of water but also riverside vegetation that enhances the natural landscape of this town. Those who love hiking will be able to walk along its different routes and paths, such as the Las Fuentes path, and enjoy these beautiful and unique natural landscapes.
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What to see?
In the Herrerian style of the 15th and 16th centuries, covered with a wide semicircular vault. Its large central nave has a large transept that leads to the main altarpiece, a Baroque altarpiece in polychrome wood and gold leaf. The tower is made of good masonry and ashlar, very well composed of five sections and a base with moulded fascia lines, the first three sections are blind, and the other two house the belfry.
In the Plaza de la Constitución, next to the Town Hall, with airy wrought iron and glass bay windows, topped by fan-shaped decoration, a 19th century building in the modernist style.
Located 5 km to the north of the municipality on the site of the castle of Tormón, where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared. Of Andalusian style, built in the 19th century, it houses the image of the patron saint throughout the year until the festivities arrive and then it is moved to the village. Of popular architecture, it has a nave divided into three sections and covered by a barrel vault with lunettes. The main chapel is covered by a semicircular dome on pendentives and is entered through a large double triumphal arch.
Under semicircular arcades, with drinking water and a washing place, the life of the village was concentrated around them, even appearing in detail in the 1576 reports ordered by Felipe II.
This site is on the line of an ancient route marked by Iron II settlements. In June 1994, however, a Carpathian necropolis was discovered, where tombs and various objects such as pots, jars, plates, etc. were found, showing the celebration of complex rites and forms of burial.
