Mota Del Marqués: Churches, Castle and Festivals

If you are looking for a hotel in Mota Del Marqués, its churches, chapels, palaces and local customs offer a variety of ways to shape your stay. The historic buildings range from a columned hall to consolidated ruins; festivals and processions offer another perspective on the town.

Churches, chapels and their architectural history

The Iglesia de San Martín is a columned hall typical of the 16th century, with a single-nave floor plan; its south façade features a Plateresque portal. The church has been closed for worship since 1989 due to structural deterioration and the associated safety risks from cracks and falling masonry. Check current access arrangements before planning a visit. The stone pulpit from the 16th century is considered one of the finest works in the church. The church is also home to the Virgen de las Angustias, a sculpture created around 1596 by the Palencian sculptor Adrián Álvarez.

The Iglesia de El Salvador dates from the 16th century and was extensively remodelled in the 17th century. Its consolidated ruins lie on the hillside between the Castillo and the town. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Castellanos is a Gothic-Mudéjar building from the early 16th century. Its main altar dates from around 1600 and is dominated by a dressed statue of the Virgin Mary from the 18th century, the town’s patron saint. The Ermita del Cristo del Humilladero was built in 1526 from dressed stone on the orders of the Brotherhood of Veracruz; a 16th-century stone cross stands in front of its entrance.

Castle and palaces

The surviving keep of the Castillo de Mota del Marqués is in a ruined state and is considered the only round tower in all of Castile. Around the Castillo, sections of the foundations of the former wall, which was divided by towers, are visible. Both features tell the story of the castle complex, without implying that they are in the same state of preservation.

The Palacio de los Ulloa is a 16th-century building. Its two-storey courtyard has segmental arches resting on columns. Two paintings depict women in 16th-century fashion and are attributed to the circle of Pantoja de la Cruz. The Palacio del Marqués de Ulloa contains a room with trompe-l’œil paintings and landscape scenes from the Neoclassical period. The two palace names refer here to different architectural and artistic features.

Festivals, processions and local customs

The patron saint festivities in honour of Nuestra Señora de Castellanos take place around 8 September. As the annual programme may vary, check the exact festival dates before travelling. Festivals in Mota del Marqués feature dancing, bullfighting events and encierros through the countryside and the town’s streets. These events should also be planned around the current year’s programme.

During Semana Santa, the traditional “Venias” take place in the Plaza Mayor as part of the Good Friday procession. The Carnival custom known as “corrido el bollo” takes people from house to house, where they sample homemade sweets and drink the coffee liqueur typical of the town. These customs mark different points in the annual cycle; if you are planning a visit for a specific date, the current programme is the one to consult.

Visits and getting around

Mota del Marqués offers free guided tours of the town, its monuments and particularly picturesque spots. Tours are arranged in advance by phone or email. Check current availability and booking details before travelling. This lets you include a guided tour in your plans without assuming it is the same as an unscheduled visit.

Mota del Marqués is listed on the Camino de Levante y Sureste between Tordesillas and Villardefrades. For a meal, Mesón La Mota, which serves typical regional cuisine, is an option; the restaurant is next to the petrol station. Check that it is currently open before visiting. This gives you both a route connection and a specific place to eat to include in your plans.

Discover more destinations: Medina De Rioseco, Íscar, Villardefrades, Serrada, Siete Iglesias De Trabancos, Alcazarén, Bocigas, Trigueros Del Valle

For the main travel overview: Valladolid.