In La Serna del Monte, notable landmarks from the town’s history meet a landscape of pastures and oak woodland. The Iglesia de San Andrés, an old sundial and a well still in use tell stories of architecture and everyday life in the past. For those wishing to look beyond the town itself, the Senda del Mirador and the Senda de la Dehesilla offer two different routes: one crosses pastureland to a tunnel with far-reaching views, while the other is a circular route towards an ermita.
Church, Sundial and Well
The Iglesia de San Andrés was built in the 17th century. Only a few parts of its original structure remain, including the old structure and the bell gable. Following a renovation in the mid-20th century, the church retains the layout of a single-nave building. Inside are an 18th-century altarpiece with Solomonic columns, as well as Baroque sculptures of Saint Andrew and the Madonna and Child. Some authors date these sculptures to the 16th or 17th century.
The Piedra de las Veces also reflects the practical management of water: the old sundial was used to regulate each resident’s irrigation times. After its restoration, it was installed in front of La Serna del Monte town hall. Another example of everyday infrastructure is the historic well, which is still in use. Its exterior is made of masonry with large stones; inside is a semicircular vault of dressed stone.
The mural “Mural de la Serna del Monte” by Caín Ferreras depicts two hands shaking. The handshake represents a traditional equivalent to signing a contract and refers to the town’s historical importance as a place for buying and selling livestock. Traditional architecture also includes rural homes and buildings used for farming and livestock rearing.
Pastureland, Tunnel and Circular Route
The marked Senda del Mirador runs through pastures. It includes a tunnel that was probably connected with bunkers from the Spanish Civil War. From inside the tunnel, the view extends to Puerto de La Hiruela, the Sierra de Puebla, the Puentes Viejas and Riosequillo reservoirs, the Comarca de La Jara and the Lozoya Valley. The route and viewpoint offer different points of reference: the path through the pastureland and the view from the tunnel across several named landscape areas.
The Senda de la Dehesilla takes a different approach. It follows a circular route towards the Ermita de Braojos. The two routes therefore differ in the features specifically mentioned: the Senda del Mirador is described in terms of pastures and a tunnel, while the Senda de la Dehesilla is described as a circular route heading towards the ermita. The Cañada Real Segoviana, a livestock trail, runs through La Serna del Monte from northeast to south. The landscape includes extensive pastures interspersed with native oak woodland and smaller areas of holm oak and juniper.
More Ways to Plan Your Stay
For those interested in regional routes and culture, the “Ruta por los relojes de sol” connects Navarredonda, Gandullas, La Serna del Monte, Madarcos and Aoslos. The route to discover the Middle Lozoya Valley also includes a gastronomic experience in La Serna del Monte; programme details may vary. La Serna del Monte also has the Área Recreativa del Arroyo recreational area, and visitors can take part in existing agrotourism activities. As providers and schedules may change, it is worth checking specific options in advance.
La Serna del Monte can be reached via the A-1, the Autovía del Norte. When choosing where to stay, you might consider whether architecture and historical landmarks, the landscape and routes, or a combination of these are your main interests. The different details can help you tailor your visit to your own interests, without treating the two circular routes as the same or turning a single sight into an entire itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Humanes De Madrid, Los Santos De La Humosa, Paracuellos De Jarama, Loeches, Puebla de la Sierra, Coslada, Valdeavero, Las Herreras.
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