Bernardos – archaeological traces and rock art

Archaeological traces from prehistory to the Middle Ages

In Bernardos, different traces of the past come together: a fortified settlement, a dolmen, a cromlech, and rock engravings. They represent different forms and periods. If you are interested in the town’s cultural heritage, you can make these differences a focus when planning your stay.

A fortified settlement stood on Cerro de la Virgen del Castillo and was inhabited from the 5th to the 11th century. Its history therefore spans several centuries. The prehistoric structures represent a different period: the description of the Dolmen de Santa Inés already shows how it differs from the Cromlech de Cantos Blancos. The dolmen has the ground plan of a corridor tomb and is covered by a mound of stone and earth measuring 30 meters in diameter.

At the Cromlech de Cantos Blancos, large quartz menhirs form lines, circular enclosures, and oval ground plans. The site was created between the 5th and 3rd millennia BC in connection with Neolithic societies. The cromlech is one kilometer as the crow flies from the Dolmen de Santa Inés, in a west–east direction. It lies on the edge of the Eresma Valley, at its confluence with the Santa Inés stream; the summit of Peñalara forms the backdrop. The two sites therefore differ both in their forms and in how their locations are described.

Rock art and wool processing

The rock engravings at Valverde el Seco depict a medieval hunting scene with horse riders and pedestrians, dogs, and two deer. The specific motif adds a different emphasis than the dolmen and cromlech: here, a hunting scene is depicted, while the descriptions of the others focus on a tomb and stone settings.

The Ermita de San Roque is also relevant to a visit: it serves as an interpretation center and visitor reception point. Tools and a loom used for wool processing are on display there. This adds wool processing as a topic alongside the archaeological sites and rock art.

The Ruta al Cortado de Toba and recurring festivals

The Ruta al Cortado de Toba combines an outdoor experience with rock art: visitors can explore Paleolithic reliefs carved into the cliffs. Cliffs with Paleolithic engravings can be found along the route at Los Corrales de La Frailona. The trail passes through pine trees to the Cortado de Toba; it also leads to the old La Teja spring. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the trail conditions locally.

The festivals can also be important when planning the timing of a stay. The patron saint festivals take place on the last weekend of August; the following Wednesday is still in the same month. The Subida de la Virgen to the Ermita del Castillo is celebrated every ten years, in a year ending in zero. This makes the annual patron saint festivals clearly distinct from the ten-year cycle of the Subida. If you are planning your trip around one of these events, check the dates and program for the relevant year.

Bernardos offers several possible areas of interest: prehistoric structures, a medieval hunting scene, wool processing, rock reliefs, or a recurring festival. The details about forms, motifs, and time periods provide a guide to distinguishing between these topics and planning a stay to suit your interests.

Discover more destinations

Aldeanueva De La Serrezuela, San Miguel de Bernúy, Martín Muñoz De Las Posadas, Santa Marta Del Cerro, Aldealengua De Santa María, Aldea Real, Castro de Fuentidueña, Yanguas De Eresma

For the overview of the wider region: Segovia.