Fontanar combines the historic architecture of Casa Cartuja with natural areas and festival traditions. Castilian Baroque architecture, riparian woodland and oak forest offer a range of themes to consider when planning a trip. The dates of local celebrations and connections to the provincial capital, Guadalajara, also help you plan your stay.

Casa Cartuja and historic architectural styles

Casa Cartuja is a fine example of Castilian Baroque architecture, built predominantly from brick. Carthusian monks from the Monastery of Santa María de El Paular in Rascafría, in the Community of Madrid, built the structure at the end of the 15th century. At its centre is a two-storey courtyard with an open gallery on the lower floor. Its distinctive corbel system is supported by wooden pillars on stone bases. The architecture can therefore be appreciated both through its building materials and through the construction of the courtyard.

The historic water system includes vaulted channels that carried water from springs to Casa Cartuja and the La Ría area. La Ría was historically known as Huerta de San Fernando. Another architectural comparison in the province of Guadalajara is the ruins of the Romanesque church of Jócar, an example of 12th-century rural Romanesque architecture. Alongside Casa Cartuja, this brings another period and architectural style into view.

Riparian woodland, oaks and paths through green spaces

El Salgar covers 45,000 square metres within a LIC protected area and includes a natural riparian woodland. The Vega del Arroyo Zaire is also characterised by riparian woodland. Parque Beljafel encompasses an extensive woodland area with holm oaks and oaks; in Fontanar, the Vega del Henares is designated as a river course. Together, these named natural areas represent a range of landscape features, from riparian woodland to oak forest.

Around Fontanar, green spaces and rural paths offer opportunities for easy walks and cycle rides; the surrounding area is easy to reach and well connected. The tourist routes designated in Fontanar include the Red Rocinante, Corridor VII, Section E, and the Ruta de la Arquitectura Negra. Parque Corral de Beleña also has a covered picnic shelter measuring 140 square metres. Alongside the landscape features and route names, there is also practical information for a break outdoors.

Festival dates throughout the year

On 3 February, bread is blessed and then given to residents along with chorizo. Eight days before Palm Sunday, the Virgen de la Soledad, Fontanar’s patron saint, is brought from her chapel to the church. She remains there until Good Friday, when she returns to the chapel in a procession in the late afternoon.

The San Matías celebrations take place on the weekend closest to 14 May. They include, among other events, open-air dances, running of the bulls, a Mass and a procession. San Roque is celebrated for about a week around 16 August; the programme includes open-air dances, running of the bulls and novilladas. The dates follow different calendar days. Check the relevant festival calendar before travelling, as annual programmes may vary.

Getting there and location

Fontanar is about 10 kilometres from the provincial capital, Guadalajara, and can be reached via the CM-101. A regional bus route connects Humanes, Mohernando, Yunquera de Henares, Fontanar and Guadalajara. Road access and the bus service offer different options for planning your journey. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable, as routes may change.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Malaguilla, Villares de Jadraque, Berninches, Albalate De Zorita, Arbancón, Budia, El Pedregal, El Olivar

For the main travel overview: Guadalajara.