Castellanos De Villiquera: Mural Art, Church History and Pilgrimage Route

Castellanos De Villiquera brings together different traces of the town’s history: a Roman road route, the Vía de la Plata, the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista and VIART murals. These themes give your stay a specific cultural focus. If you are looking for a hotel, you can choose your destination based on whether you are more interested in the history of routes, sacred architecture or large-scale art.

Roman Road Route and the Vía de la Plata

The Roman road route through the municipality of Castellanos De Villiquera mostly follows the path identified as the Calzada Vieja on historical maps and corresponds exactly to Itinerary 1. Castellanos De Villiquera is also on Stage 22 of the Vía de la Plata, between Salamanca and El Cubo de Tierra del Vino. Modern pilgrims use Calle de la Calzada. These references provide different kinds of orientation: Calzada Vieja and Itinerary 1 identify the Roman road route, while the stage number establishes the connection with the Vía de la Plata and names Calle de la Calzada as a street used by modern pilgrims.

Church History and Architecture

The Iglesia de San Juan Bautista was built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the remains of a Romanesque church. A sundial dating from 1704 is located on the bell tower. The remains of the Romanesque predecessor, the later construction period and a precisely dated feature on the tower thus represent different periods. Decorative elements and stonemasons’ marks are preserved on the walls; the church also retains a base and a capital from the columns of the former church’s exterior portico. For those interested in architecture, the church brings together a historical context and specific details of its walls and column components.

VIART and the Lavadero Tradicional

VIART is a route of large-scale murals on building façades in Castellanos De Villiquera. The themes include agricultural activities, local traditions, sport, native wildlife and plant life, as well as the Way of St. James in Castellanos De Villiquera and its districts. The range of themes extends from local activities and nature to the pilgrimage route. Unlike the architectural history of the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, VIART focuses on façade art and a variety of subjects.

The Lavadero Tradicional is part of VIART. Residents used this covered public washhouse to wash clothes by hand for many years. Large paintings depicting its traditional use adorn its exterior walls. The Lavadero thus combines its former function with a mural subject and is also incorporated into the VIART route. For travellers interested not only in church architecture and façade art but also in the history of everyday activities, it offers a distinct perspective on local culture.

The traditional San Juan festivities are also among the cultural aspects associated with Castellanos De Villiquera. An account dated June 21, 2018, describes a Mass followed by a procession in honour of San Juan.

Discover more destinations: Sobradillo, San Esteban De La Sierra, Las Casas Del Conde, Carrascal Del Río, La Rinconada De La Sierra, Pereña De La Ribera, Monleras, San Pedro Del Valle.

For the main travel overview: Salamanca.