In Los Santos De La Humosa, sacred architecture, a pilgrimage tradition and varied landscapes are central to planning a trip. The parish church of San Pedro Apóstol and the two hermitages offer different historical and architectural insights. There are also views of the Henares Valley and the Sierra de Guadarrama, as well as a karting track for a different kind of activity.
Parish Church of San Pedro Apóstol
The parish church of San Pedro Apóstol is designated an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) and has full protection under a resolution dated 22 April 1983. Construction began in 1562 and was completed in 1677. Its building history can thus be tied to a specific period, while its protected status records the building’s special classification.
A baptismal chapel with a flattened vault and a stone baptismal font is located beneath the tower. These details complement the church’s exterior history with a description of a specific area: the space beneath the tower and its baptismal site.
Two Hermitages with Their Own Histories
The Ermita de la Virgen de la Soledad was built in 1576 by the Cabildo de Nuestra Señora del Rosario to house the image of the Quinta Angustia. Today, it houses the image of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. The described connection to the town centre is useful for finding your way around: side footpaths along the road lead there, and the area in front of the hermitage has been landscaped.
The Ermita de la Virgen de la Humosa was built in 1677 on the site of an earlier chapel that had stood there since 1384. The present building is Baroque, with brick walls and masonry. Its architecture can be understood through several structural elements: the single-nave interior has a barrel vault and a raised choir at the end. A barrel vault runs lengthwise over the space. The square main chapel is a separate part of the building; its dome rests on pendentives, transitional elements between the square space and the dome’s shape, and is topped by a lantern.
Pilgrimage Tradition and Travel Dates
The Ermita de la Virgen de la Humosa is associated with a deeply rooted pilgrimage tradition. It takes place on the Sunday after the feast of Saint Isidore, popularly known as San Isidrillo, as well as on the last Sunday in August. If you would like to time your trip to coincide with either pilgrimage, check the current dates. This lets you plan your stay around these recurring occasions without assuming a specific event date.
The Henares, Landscapes and Paths
The landscape of Los Santos De La Humosa is a mosaic of river floodplain, countryside and plateau. There are also views of the Henares Valley and the Sierra de Guadarrama. This combination of different landscape types gives your stay a different focus from exploring the historic religious buildings.
The history of crossing the river is also precisely dated: the bridge over the Río Henares was inaugurated on 22 April 1888; until then, people crossed the river by boat. The inauguration thus marked the transition from crossing by boat to using the bridge.
According to the municipal notice of 29 October 2025, work on Camino del Monedero and Cerro de las Monjas included consolidating and repairing the path surfaces to ensure pedestrian safety. The same municipal notice of 29 October 2025 also mentions improved information boards for Cerro de las Monjas and the installation of facilities for resting and taking in the views.
Karting as Another Activity
The Karting Club Los Santos offers another option. Its children’s track is suitable for beginners and for improving driving skills. Karts are available to rent, and driving skills can also be developed with the support of the racing school. Alongside the historic buildings, pilgrimage tradition and landscape, this provides a separate activity related to motorsport.
Discover more destinations: Cercedilla, Manzanares El Real, Leganés, El Gasco, Moraleja De Enmedio, Becerril De La Sierra, Colmenar Viejo, Villaviciosa De Odón.
For the broader travel overview: Madrid.
