Santorcaz: Castle Complex, Church and Archaeological Heritage

Visitors considering Santorcaz as a destination will encounter a local history that can be seen in its castle complex, parish church and archaeological landscape. The medieval fortifications, later alterations and protected cultural sites each offer a different perspective. When planning your visit, it is therefore useful to distinguish between architectural history, archaeological heritage and landscape: each of these themes is represented by specific places in Santorcaz.

Castle complex: residence, palace and prison

Castillo de Torremocha is the only surviving remnant of the fortified complex that once surrounded Santorcaz. In the mid-14th century, under Archbishop Pedro Tenorio, the stately residence was extensively converted into a palace. From the late 15th century, the archbishopric used the castle as a prison for members of the clergy and nobles who had fallen out of favour. These successive uses make the castle a testament to different periods in the town’s history.

Almost the entire perimeter of the fortified complex can still be walked, and up to eight towers of different designs have survived. A viewpoint above the remains of the former archbishop’s palace offers views of El Llano de la Horca. Below the viewpoint are the remains of a fortified gate flanked by two towers. The site thus brings together several different architectural features: the line of the fortifications, its towers, the palace remains and the gate.

San Torcuato Church: two building phases

San Torcuato Church is incorporated into Santorcaz’s former fortress. Its distinctive architectural features include a 16th-century Renaissance high altar retable and an 18th-century Neoclassical portico. Those interested in architectural styles can see two clearly distinct periods in one building: the Renaissance retable and the Neoclassical portico. Together with its integration into the former fortress, this gives the church a distinctive place in Santorcaz’s cultural history.

El Llano de la Horca and the Alcarria plateau

El Llano de la Horca lies on a plateau-like rise of about 14 hectares at the upper end of a valley, with wide views across the Alcarria plateau. The archaeological zone and its surroundings were declared a Site of Cultural Interest, or Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) in Spanish, on 2 June 2011. Here, protected archaeological significance meets a clearly defined landscape: the elevated position, the plateau-like terrain and the broad view across the plateau.

Fuente del Caño Alto on the drovers’ road

Another aspect of the area’s cultural heritage can be seen at Fuente del Caño Alto. This protected historic fountain and watering trough stands on a drovers’ road connecting Santorcaz with Anchuelo. Restoration of the Fuente was completed in 2022. The fountain and road offer a different perspective on the town’s history from the fortress and its buildings: here, the focus is on a historic type of structure and the route along the drovers’ road.

Route to the Torrecilla, also known as the Atalaya Árabe

A local route leads to the hill known as the Torrecilla, or Atalaya Árabe, after crossing the Arroyo de las Fuentes. On the descent, it passes the ruins of the Ermita de Orcalez and the old washhouse. The sequence of stops runs from the watercourse crossing to the high point, then to the ruins and washhouse. This offers another perspective on Santorcaz’s historic sites and landscape features.

Romería in honour of the Virgen del Rocío

The Romería in honour of the Virgen del Rocío includes a procession from the parish church to the Ermita del Rocío, followed by evening singing and dancing performances. It has been held at the beginning of summer since 2011, usually on the last weekend in June. If you would like to plan your trip around this tradition, check the specific date for the year in question.

Discover more destinations: Villa Del Prado, Ciempozuelos, El Boalo, Majadahonda, Guadalix de la Sierra, Horcajuelo De La Sierra, Torrelodones, Casarrubuelos.

For the main travel overview: Madrid.