In the Valle de los Sueños, you’ll encounter 120 contemporary sculptures by 63 sculptors. The collection is displayed outdoors along a trail about two kilometres long. The Silla Gigante de Meira, a metal replica, is also located on the Loma del Estillo. Puebla de la Sierra lies in the Sierra del Rincón, which was declared a Biosphere Reserve in 2005 in recognition of its sustainable development model.
Getting there and the landscape
The route there follows the A-1, exit 76. Access roads to La Puebla de la Sierra lead from Prádena del Rincón via the M-130 and from Robledillo de la Jara via a paved track. The access road passes pine forests, native oak stands and scrubland, then continues between steep ravines. In winter, it may occasionally be closed due to snow; check local conditions before setting out.
The landscape and trails are also central to the area around the village. From the Mirador de Los Buitres, you can look out over a rugged valley shaped by the Río de la Puebla and a colony of vultures on the opposite slope. The old oak grove includes trees estimated to be 600 to 700 years old. Hiking trails, MTB trails and mountain roads for cycling are found around Puebla de la Sierra.
Trails with different destinations
The Subida al Cerro Larda route starts in Puebla de la Sierra and leads to Cerro Larda, at an elevation of 1,425 metres. The Route through the Centuries-Old Oaks has a different endpoint: it follows the Arroyo de la Cuesta to the old washing place. The Route through Los Linares passes through a riverside woodland and gardens where vegetables and legumes are still grown. One route leads to Cerro Larda, at an elevation of 1,425 metres; another to the old washing place on the Arroyo de la Cuesta; and the third passes through riverside woodland and cultivated gardens.
The route to the Silla Gigante de Meira also has a clearly named destination: it follows the GR88 to the sculpture on the Loma del Estillo. If you’d like to combine art and exercise, you can distinguish this route from the sculpture collection: the collection is reached via a trail about two kilometres long, while the route to the Silla follows the GR88.
Architecture, crafts and art
The parish church of Purísima Concepción dates from the early 18th century. Its main building consists of three naves divided by round arches and an attached presbytery. The Ermita de la Soledad was built in 1564 and is currently used as a cemetery chapel. It is on the edge of the village in the direction of Robledillo; the Fuente Árabe is nearby.
Traditional architecture also shapes the village: buildings in La Puebla de la Sierra feature dark stone and carefully restored wooden details. La Fragua is a 16th-century building in the Arab style, with a timber frame and large masonry walls. It is still used to repair and make ploughs, hoes, horseshoes and nails. The Museo Japonés displays contemporary Japanese painting.
A guided visit to the Museo Japonés includes an accompanying visit to the museum of drawing, graphic works and contemporary Japanese art. A guided visit to the Valle de los Sueños includes an accompanying visit to the museum and the sculpture trail. Check the current schedule for these tours before your trip.
September festivals
The patron saint festivals in honour of the Virgen de los Dolores usually take place in the first or second week of September; the exact dates vary from year to year. The programme includes a procession from the Ermita de la Soledad to the parish church of Purísima Concepción, rondallas, traditional games and other activities throughout the village. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festivals, check the dates for the relevant year.
You can choose what to focus on in Puebla de la Sierra: sculptures and art, architectural history and crafts, or trails into the surrounding countryside. The main things to check when planning are the changing festival dates, the schedule for guided visits and, in winter, road conditions.
Discover more destinations: Aldea Del Fresno, Valdemanco, Los Santos De La Humosa, Cubas De La Sagra, Meco, La Serna Del Monte, Braojos, Majadahonda.
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