A large coat of arms of the Alba family on the freestanding tower and a polygonal apse give the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol a distinctive architectural profile. The surrounding area also offers practical points of reference for planning a trip: Santiago del Collado lies on the northern slope of the Sierra de Piedrahíta and overlooks the Valle del Corneja to the east. The church’s architecture and the elevations and routes around Puerto de Peña Negra therefore offer distinct points of interest.
Architecture of the Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol
The church has a polygonal apse, a single-nave body and a freestanding tower. The large coat of arms of the Alba family on the tower is another defining feature. A 17th-century portal connects the church to the sacristy. The main chapel is topped by a hemispherical dome, whose paintings combine classical and folk influences.
The altars also reflect distinct historical periods: the main altar dates from 1767 and was created by Manuel Vicente del Castillo, an artist from Salamanca. The altar of Saint Lucy dates from 1664.
The relationship between the church and the surrounding houses is part of the village’s character: together, they form a distinctive view of the village from the N-110 road.
Sierra de Piedrahíta and Puerto de Peña Negra
The village’s location on the northern slope of the Sierra de Piedrahíta and its eastern outlook towards the Valle del Corneja describe its geographical setting. Puerto de Peña Negra lies within the municipality of Santiago del Collado at an altitude of 1,909 metres. It connects the Valle del Corneja with the Alto Valle del Tormes. These details describe different scales: one locates the village on the mountain slope, while the other identifies the pass as a link between two valleys.
Puerto de Peña Negra is considered a suitable place for air sports. Several international air sports competitions have been held there, including a paragliding world championship.
Trails and directions
The Sendero de la Umbrela runs around the Risco de la Umbrela and extends across the Valle del Corneja and the Valle del Caballeruelo. After crossing the N-110 at kilometre 15.9, the trail reaches the Alto de Santiago. Together, these details give a sense of both the route through the valleys and a specific landmark on the road. Road and trail conditions can change; check local conditions before setting out.
An access note dated 11 July 2026 describes the Risco de la Umbrela in Santiago del Collado as reachable on foot from Valdelaguna in about an hour, after leaving the vehicle there. Check local access conditions before setting out. This time estimate applies to the described approach from Valdelaguna.
Another route description covers the Ruta de Las Solanillas: at kilometre 8.1, the route reaches Santiago del Collado and then passes through the hamlet of El Collado. Trail conditions and signage for this route may change. By comparison, the Sendero de la Umbrela description identifies the Alto de Santiago, the Risco and the two valleys as landmarks, while the Las Solanillas description takes the route through El Collado.
Discover more destinations: Villanueva De Ávila, El Barco De Ávila, Umbrías, Muñico, Vita, Martínez, Pozanco, Tórtoles.
For the broader travel overview: Avila.
