El Molar: Heritage, Wine and Landscape

El Molar combines church architecture, traditional celebrations and wine culture with a municipality that encompasses Sierra, Campiña and Vega landscapes. It lies in the Jarama catchment area, west of the river. When planning your trip, you can explore different sides of the place: its architectural history, the lively Fiesta de las Mayas, the wine cellars and the routes through the landscape.

Churches, Chapels and Traditions

The Iglesia Parroquial de la Asunción de Nuestra Señora is a monument of cultural interest (Bien de Interés Cultural, BIC). Construction began in the 15th century as a single-nave Gothic temple. Several building phases in the 16th century expanded it into a three-nave church and added a Renaissance portico gallery. This transformation reveals the time that elapsed between the Gothic origins and the later extensions. It was officially designated a BIC in 2017.

The chapels also differ in origin and design. The Ermita de la Soledad is considered the oldest chapel in the municipality and has Gothic origins. The Ermita de Ntra. Sra. del Remolino, by contrast, lies in the Jarama Vega. Built in the Neo-Mudéjar style from brick and masonry, it houses the image of the Virgen del Remolino, patron saint and perpetual mayor of El Molar. The Ermita de San Isidro stands on Cerro de la Corneja. Architect Joaquín Kremel built it in 1896 so visitors to the Balneario de la Fuente del Toro could attend religious services.

The Fiesta de las Mayas is celebrated in early May. Its origins date back to the 16th century; the tradition is recognized as living cultural heritage and as a BIC. In El Molar, altars made of flowers and branches are set up at the town hall. In the middle is the seat of the Maya. Women from the local association hand out bread, sweets and wine. If you would like to plan your trip around the celebration, check the dates in advance.

Wine Cellars, Wine and Regional Cuisine

The Bodegas y Cuevas de El Molar preserve underground passages where wine from El Molar is produced and stored. They are considered one of the few surviving complexes of this kind in the Madrid region. The underground wine cellars thus combine a practical purpose with the town’s architectural heritage. Over the years, a dining scene featuring grilled meat and natural wines from El Molar has also developed around the Bodegas de La Torreta.

The wine tradition is also reflected in the D.O. Vinos de Madrid: in March 2019, its fourth subregion was approved and named after El Molar. The Feria del Vino de El Molar takes place in the caves of La Torreta, bringing wine culture together with the historic underground landscape. It has become a fixture in the regional cultural and tourism calendar, drawing more than 5,000 people per edition. As the annual program may change, it is advisable to check the latest dates before your trip.

Landscape and Routes

The Pinar de la Corneja is also located on Cerro de la Corneja. Opened in 1949, the park is associated with the municipality’s early reforestation efforts. The Ermita de San Isidro at the summit offers views of Madrid. The Falla de El Molar is a classic geological feature of the Madrid region, well known and frequently visited. The municipality therefore brings together different landscape interests: viewpoints, geology and routes to named destinations.

El Molar has walking and cycling routes to Los Pajares and Las Antiguas Fuentes; one variant connects the town to the CiclaMadrid cycling network. Check the route details before setting out. The information point for cycle tourists is located at the Polideportivo Municipal de El Molar, Avda. de la Constitución s/n. As operating conditions may change, ask about current services before visiting. These routes and the information point give cycling and walking their own place in trip planning, alongside the town’s architectural and wine history.

Discover more destinations: Somosaguas, Villarejo De Salvanés, Colmenar Viejo, Moraleja De Enmedio, Leganés, Garganta De Los Montes, Valdemaqueda, Casarrubuelos.

For the overview of the wider destination: Madrid.