Alcuneza brings together distinctive architectural features and traces from different periods of the town’s history. These include a Romanesque church, Roman remains, the caves of Peña de la Torre and the ruins of a saltworks on the Henares. When planning a trip, you can focus on architecture, landscape, routes or regional cuisine—and choose which aspect of the town interests you most.

Churches and Architectural History

The Romanesque church of Alcuneza is dedicated to Saint Peter of Antioch. Several specific architectural features of the parish church are worth noting: it has two naves, unlike the single-nave pattern of the other churches in the rural architecture of the upper Henares. Its main chapel is polygonal, and its roof follows a Mudéjar tradition. Eighteenth-century altarpieces complete the picture. The church’s two naves offer a clear point of comparison with the otherwise single-nave pattern, while the chapel’s shape and the roof design are further distinctive features.

Another building is the Ermita de la Soledad, which dates from the 17th century. Together with the 18th-century altarpieces, it shows that Alcuneza has buildings and decorative features from different centuries. This offers several specific themes for an architecture-focused visit: church construction, chapel design, roofing traditions and altar furnishings.

Roman Remains and Caves

Alcuneza’s Roman past can also be traced at several sites: the remains of a villa and a tombstone are located in the town. A Roman road connecting Mérida and Zaragoza also ran through the area. The villa and tombstone are in the town, while the Roman road passed through the Alcuneza area.

The large natural caves of Peña de la Torre lie in the town centre. They are used to store agricultural equipment. The town’s history therefore brings together natural features and evidence of human use; the caves are also a distinct point of interest apart from the churches and archaeological remains.

Saltworks Ruins on the Henares

Near Alcuneza are the historic ruins of a saltworks on the Henares, not the Salado. Visible remains include the walls of several buildings, various recocederos and the outlines of the salt pans. These features make the site legible as a complex of ruins: the building walls, the shapes of the pans and other parts of the saltworks can be distinguished.

Directions to the site are also described specifically: from Sigüenza, after crossing the railway line, you reach a path that offers views of the ruins. This gives a different perspective from the architectural history in the town itself: the focus here is on views of the site and its location on the Henares. Conditions on paths can change; check the current route if you plan to use this access.

Routes and Regional Cuisine

A route description from 2025 includes a mountain bike route through Alcuneza, passing the Ermita de la Soledad and then climbing towards Pozancos. Another route follows tracks and trails, first to Guijosa and then to Alcuneza. The descriptions name different stops: the Ermita and the climb that follows are landmarks on the mountain bike route, while the other gives the sequence Guijosa–Alcuneza. Check the current route before setting out.

The stone manor house of the Molino de Alcuneza dates from the 15th century. The building contains a dining room, communal areas and several rooms. The restaurant serves regional cuisine featuring game, truffles, mushrooms, stews, casseroles, garlic soups, escabeches and smoked foods; the menu may change. The architectural history and cuisine therefore offer two distinct aspects of the Molino de Alcuneza.

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See the overview of destinations: Sigüenza.