Underground wine cellars at Monte San Jorge, buildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries, and festivals held on specific dates give Sotillo De La Ribera several distinct points of interest. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these themes separate: the cellars shape the wine landscape, historic buildings represent different periods of construction, and local celebrations have their own dates. There is an important caveat regarding the cellars: the Ayuntamiento does not currently offer public tours.
Wine landscape and cellars
The underground wine cellars lie at Monte San Jorge and are arranged on three levels around a conical hill. The three levels describe their layout; the hill gives the arrangement its shape in the terrain. The Ayuntamiento does not currently offer public tours of these cellars. If you are considering a visit, check again before travelling to see whether tours are available.
The vineyards can also be described in precise figures: Bodegas Félix Callejo has 27 vineyard plots spread across the Sotillo De La Ribera area, covering a total of 54.8 hectares. The figure 27 refers to the number of vineyard plots, while the hectare figure gives their total area. Alongside the distinctive cellar complex, the vineyards themselves are another defining feature.
Building history and accommodation
The Iglesia de Santa Ãgueda was built over two centuries: construction began in the 17th century and was completed in the 18th century. The Palacio de los Serrano is also an 18th-century building, but in the neoclassical style. The Junta de Castilla y León protected it as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the “Monumento†category. Today, the Palacio serves as rural accommodation.
The two buildings therefore represent different periods: the church’s construction spanned the 17th and 18th centuries, while the Palacio is described as an 18th-century neoclassical building. The Palacio also has protected-monument status and is now used as accommodation.
Festivals throughout the year
The celebrations in honour of Santa Ãgueda, the municipality’s patron saint, are held on 5 February. They include a procession, the Quintos’ dance and verbenas. Semana Santa takes place at a different time of year: processions are held in Sotillo on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Another distinctive feature is a ruralised Miserere sung by a group of members of the brotherhood.
The celebrations in honour of Ntra. Sra. La Virgen de los Prados are held on the first Sunday in September. The traditional RomerÃa follows a route from the parish church to the Ermita de Ntra. Sra. de los Prados, covering just over one kilometre. The festival dates therefore have different features: Santa Ãgueda brings together a procession, dance and verbenas on a single date; Semana Santa includes two days of processions; and the September celebration combines a set Sunday with a RomerÃa between two named points.
Landscape and hermitages
At the start of the Ruta de las Ermitas, poplar groves near the Arroyo de Sotillo, small orchards, vineyards and grain fields shape the landscape. This combination of trees and cultivated land adds a landscape perspective to the wine cellars and buildings.
In the Vallejondo valley, Amancio shaped a small “Ermita†from the rocks there in 1997. A figure of the Good Shepherd is outlined inside. Here, a single rock sculpture takes centre stage, while the description of the start of the Ruta de las Ermitas brings together several landscape features. Visitors looking to get a fuller picture of Sotillo beyond its buildings and festivals will find both a landscape panorama and a specific artistic detail.
Discover more destinations: San Medel, Cabanas de Virtus, Trespaderne, Villanueva de Argaño, Briviesca, Quintanilla Vivar, Ros, Hornillos Del Camino
For the regional travel overview: Burgos.
