Castrillo de la Vega can be understood through several periods and themes: church architecture, medieval wine-growing culture, and trails through woodland and riverside areas. There are also festivals held at different times of the year. When planning your stay, you can choose to focus on cultural sights, landscapes or events.
Churches, a fortress and historical traces
The Iglesia Parroquial de Santiago Apóstol, also known as Santiago el Mayor, was built in the 16th century. Its nave follows the plan of a Latin cross. The church also contains a Romanesque baptismal font, which probably points to an earlier temple. The Ermita de la Virgen de la Vega is also part of the town’s religious history: this rectangular shrine is dedicated to the town’s patron saint.
The Torre del Monte, also known as Atalaya del Montecillo, is the ruin of a castle in a strategic position, with far-reaching views over the Duero Valley. It was part of Castrillo de la Vega’s crenellated fortress. You can drive to the foot of the slope; from there, a short, easy path leads to the ruins. Check local conditions before visiting. The medieval remains of the Puente del Roque also stand over the Duero. They bear witness to Castrillo de la Vega’s historical role on a route that connected the Castilian plateau with the ports of Bilbao and Santander.
Wine-growing and local history
The Cuesta de las Bodegas is an underground complex of wine cellars and wine presses. It attests to the importance of wine-growing in traditional culture since the Middle Ages. The Bodega San Roque de la Encina offers another historical perspective: it has more than 50 years of tradition and is one of the first wineries in the present-day Ribera del Duero designation of origin. Together, the cellar complex and the winery point to different facets of the town’s wine-growing history.
Trails through woodland and riverside areas
The Sendero de la Villa / PRC-BU 158 starts in Castrillo de la Vega and runs through the riverside areas of Campillo de Aranda and Castrillo de la Vega. It also passes through Mediterranean woodland with holm oaks, junipers and pines. The second stage of the Senda del Duero in Burgos starts elsewhere: it begins in Aranda de Duero and runs through Castrillo de la Vega, Berlangas de Roa and Roa de Duero. The starting points and places mentioned provide a concrete basis for comparing the two routes when planning your trip.
Festivals throughout the year
The festivities in honour of the Virgen de la Vega take place on the first weekend after Easter. A pilgrimage between the Ermita de la Virgen de la Vega and the Iglesia de Santiago is traditionally held on Easter Monday. The traditional wine harvest festival, Fiesta de la Vendimia, takes place in summer; local produce and wines from the surrounding wineries are offered there. The dates therefore provide different seasonal highlights: the Easter period for the festivities in honour of the Virgin, and summer for the wine harvest. Check the event dates in advance for the year of your trip.
Discover more destinations: Hontoria De Valdearados, Sotragero, Orbaneja Riopico, HortigĂĽela, Trespaderne, Quisicedo, San Medel, Neila.
For the broader travel overview: Burgos.
