Discover Chinchón

Chinchón can be explored from several different perspectives during a stay: Plaza Mayor and the churches tell the story of its architecture, La Pasión represents an artistic and religious tradition, and trails and the Laguna de San Juan draw attention to the surrounding landscape. If you are looking for a hotel, these different highlights can help you plan your trip around architecture, culture, nature or insights into earlier rural ways of life.

Plaza Mayor and architectural history

Plaza Mayor is an irregularly laid-out medieval square, lined with two- and three-storey houses with continuous wooden balconies. Its present-day layout dates from 1683. In the past, the square was used for comedy performances, Juego de cañas, autos sacramentales and bullfighting events. Its architecture and its varied uses over time offer two ways to explore the square’s history.

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción was built between 1534 and 1626 and combines Gothic, Plateresque, Renaissance and Baroque elements. An older chapter in the church’s history is associated with the Torre del Reloj: it belonged to the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Gracia, Chinchón’s oldest church, dating from the 14th century. This church was destroyed during the Peninsular War.

Another historic building is now home to the Parador de Turismo de Chinchón. The former Augustinian monastery was founded in the 17th century by the fifth Counts of Chinchón. Its former use as a monastery and its current role as a Parador mark different chapters in its history.

Cultural sites and traditions

La Pasión de Chinchón is an artistic and religious Passion play. It takes place on the evening of Holy Saturday, at nightfall. In 1980, the performance was designated a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Nacional by the Ministry of Trade and Tourism. If you would like to include it in your travel plans, check the specific event date in advance.

The Castillo de los Condes is another landmark to help you find your way: a route starts nearby and leads to the higher-lying Valquejigoso Park. The interior of the Castillo is not open to visitors because it is privately owned. The park is set up for recreation and children, and offers panoramic views.

Trails and landscape

Valdezarza was once a resting place for shepherds and is now set up for recreation. A route passes through the area’s only Quejigar.

The Laguna de San Juan is located near Chinchón. The wetland has been protected since 1991 and provides a refuge for the birdlife typical of wetland ecosystems. The route to the Laguna can be reached from Chinchón via three road connections. The focus here is on both the protected wetland and the connections leading to it from the town.

Anise, rural life and guided tours

Anís Chinchón has been produced since the 17th century, is 100 percent distilled and made exclusively with Matalahúga anise. The Museo Etnológico La Posada displays rooms and objects that illustrate rural life in Chinchón in the past. Together, these themes offer different insights: the anise represents a long-standing production tradition, while the museum offers a glimpse into everyday rural life in earlier times.

A winery founded in 1870 gives visitors the opportunity to learn about grape growing and winemaking. A historic house, almost 300 years old and covering 3,000 square metres, where wine and oil were once produced, offers guided tours on weekends and public holidays. The municipal tourist information office also offers guided visit packages for individuals and groups. Before your trip, check the availability of guided tours and the current details of the visit packages.

Discover more destinations: Daganzo De Arriba, Navacerrada, Valdilecha, Ciempozuelos, Brea De Tajo, Coslada, Paracuellos De Jarama, El Molar.

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