El Tiemblo: Nature, History and Hotels

El Tiemblo combines natural attractions, historic buildings and local festivals. If you are looking for a hotel in El Tiemblo, your choice may depend on whether nature, architectural history, archaeology or events are the main focus of your trip. The attractions are located variously in the town, within the municipality or in the surrounding area—a useful distinction when planning.

Chestnut Forest, Nature Reserve and Reservoir

El Abuelo, a chestnut tree more than 500 years old, stands in El Castañar. Other chestnut trees in the forest are also notable: some are more than eight metres in diameter. El Castañar can be reached by car or bus. In autumn, access on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays is only possible with an admission ticket purchased in advance for the day you wish to visit.

In the area around El Tiemblo, the Reserva Natural del Valle de Iruelas covers 8,828 hectares. There are opportunities for hiking and cycling there. The nearby Charco del Cura reservoir offers a different kind of activity: it lies at the foot of the town, and non-motorised water sports can be enjoyed there. The natural experiences described therefore differ not only in their landscapes, but also in the activities associated with them.

Architectural History and Traces of the Past

The town’s architectural history can be seen in a range of buildings. The tower of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción dates from the 15th century. The Ermita de San Antonio is a Baroque chapel: work began in 1781, and its nave and front were completed in 1828. The two buildings thus represent different periods and provide clearly dated examples that add to the history of the town.

The craft tradition associated with the Hornos de las Tinajas dates back to the high demand for tinajas, large storage jars. The jars were exported mainly to Toledo and Ciudad Real. The Pozo de la Nieve is also located in the area around El Tiemblo: it is a stone structure in which snow was stored and preserved for use in warmer weather. The Hornos de las Tinajas tell the story of production and trade; the Pozo de la Nieve points to an earlier form of food storage.

The four Toros de Guisando are located within the municipality of El Tiemblo and date from the 2nd or 1st century BC. They are four granite sculptures depicting four-legged animals. The medieval Puentes de Pasil y La Casilla over the Garganta de la Yedra are also nearby, a short walk from the town. The Monasterio de los Jerónimos complex was designated a “picturesque site” (“paraje pintoresco”) in 1954.

Routes and Seasonal Events

The second stage of the Ruta Teresiana runs for 18 km between El Tiemblo and Cebreros. An optional variant leads from El Tiemblo to the Toros de Guisando and back. The route description therefore offers a stage with set endpoints, as well as a shorter variant focused on the archaeological sculptures; no distance is given here for this variant.

Festivals also shape the calendar throughout the year. The Fiestas San Antonio, held in honour of Saint Anthony of Padua, the municipality’s patron saint, take place from 12 to 15 June. The programme includes bullfights with traditional “desencajonamientos”, cultural, folkloric and sporting events, as well as nighttime celebrations. Separate from the Fiestas San Antonio, further celebrations take place on 12, 13 and 14 September. These festivals were originally associated with the buying and selling of livestock and are now linked to the Feria Medieval. A popular pilgrimage takes place on Easter Monday: it was formerly held at Cerro de Guisando and was moved to the San Gregorio grounds a few years ago.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Nava Del Barco, Cebreros, Vita, Fontiveros, El Fresno, Santo Tomé De Zabarcos, Riocabado, El Barrio

For the main travel overview: Avila.