Olmedilla De Alarcón: History and Remembrance by the Reservoir

Discover Olmedilla De Alarcón through its history and landscape: the Parroquia de San Pedro y San Pablo, the commemoration of Gascas de Alarcón, and the Torre de Atojallano. History and water levels meet at the Alarcón Reservoir: depending on the water level, conditions on the Camino Natural and the visibility of the remains of Gascas change.

The Church and the History of the Telegraph

The Parroquia de San Pedro y San Pablo was built in the early 18th century. Inside are frescoes depicting allegories of the 1571 Battle of Lepanto. The historical events depicted in the frescoes therefore predate the church’s construction. The former Romanesque baptismal font is also part of the parish’s history; it is kept at the Museo Arqueológico de Cuenca.

The Torre de Atojallano was Station No. 17 on the Madrid–Valencia optical telegraph line, which operated from 1850 to 1855. The tower has three floors. Its station number places it within the historic line, while the floors are a structural feature of the tower.

Gascas and the Reservoir

On the shore of the Alarcón Reservoir, in the municipality of Olmedilla De Alarcón, stands the Monumento a Gascas, a stone monolith commemorating Gascas de Alarcón. Gascas de Alarcón was flooded after the dam was built. When the water level falls in summer, sections of the walls and ruins may become visible; their visibility therefore depends on the water level.

Since the monument was inaugurated in 2010, Olmedilla has held the Homenaje a Gascas every year. The Homenaje is followed by a Mass on the reservoir shore. The monolith commemorates the former village, while the remains of its walls may become visible when summer water levels are low.

Along the Camino Natural

Stage 11 of the Camino Natural del Júcar runs along the reservoir. After about 3.5 kilometres, a turning leads to Olmedilla De Alarcón. The route passes through predominantly agricultural surroundings, with Mediterranean scrubland, holm oak groves, and pine forests.

Water levels affect the route and the landscape in different ways: when the Alarcón Reservoir is very full, two seasonal sections of the Camino Natural are impassable. By contrast, when the level falls in summer, sections of Gascas’s walls and ruins may become visible. Check the current conditions before setting out.

The Park, Festivities, and Local Life

The municipal park is open to visitors. Its striking entrance has several arches, and the town’s coat of arms can be seen on the paving stones.

The Fiestas Patronales de San Roque take place every year in August; the exact dates vary from year to year. The festivities include a traditional communal Caldereta meal, which residents help prepare. Thus, alongside the annual festival, preparing the meal together is also one of the town’s long-standing customs.

In the 2025 edition of the Carrera Popular “Pinos de Abdón,” the course followed a two-lap route through urban and rural areas, including the town’s streets and natural areas such as the Arroyo de la Hoz. These route details refer to the 2025 edition; details may vary from one edition to the next.

Discover more destinations: Garaballa, Mira, Poyatos, Laguna Del Marquesado, Uña, El Arrabal, Bascuñana de San Pedro, Zafra De Záncara

For the main travel overview: Cuenca.