History and Landmark Buildings

The abandoned settlement of Navalquejigo was established in the 13th century and remained a thriving place until the 19th century. Two buildings offer different ways to explore its history: the Iglesia de la Exaltación de la Santa Cruz de Navalquejigo and the Picota de Navalquejigo. The church belongs to the group of fortified repopulation churches in the Sierra de Guadarrama; the Picota stands on the settlement’s former square. The history of the settlement, the church’s architecture and the former village square thus offer three different perspectives on Navalquejigo.

A Closer Look at the Church and Picota

Most of the surviving fabric of the church probably dates from the late 15th century and resulted from the renovation of an older church. This dating applies primarily to the surviving structure, not to the construction of the first church. The Iglesia has a single nave and a basilica-style floor plan. The taller, square chancel is accessed through a pointed arch. The building’s development and layout complement one another: the renovation points to an older church, while the nave and chancel describe the structure of the present building.

The Picota is a granite monument with a two-tiered podium. At its centre stands a large block that supports a round column; at the top, the column ends in a truncated-pyramid-shaped stone finial topped with a granite sphere. The monument may have been erected in the second half of the 18th century and stands on the settlement’s former square. The Picota’s material, construction and location shape its architectural character; for the church, it is the floor plan, chancel and history of its renovation.

The festival of San Roque is associated with Navalquejigo; the main festival was moved to 15 August. The entire settlement is under the patronage of Nuestra Señora de los Arroyos. If you are including the festival in your travel plans, check the dates for the year in question.

Access and Hiking Route

The route from Las Zorreras station to Navalquejigo follows Calle Juan Hurtado de Mendoza. It runs along a livestock track and a former road to Guadarrama. Check current trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

Las Siete Puertas is a 9.5-kilometre, moderate, linear hiking route. It connects the old settlement of Navalquejigo with El Escorial and passes through livestock dehesas. The distance, difficulty rating and route format answer different planning questions: the distance indicates the overall length, the rating the level of challenge, and the linear format distinguishes the route from a circular walk. So plan your onward journey or return separately rather than automatically assuming it is a circular route. The route thus brings together two specific aspects: the historic connection between Navalquejigo and El Escorial, and a landscape shaped by livestock farming. To help choose your focus, the options are distinct: the buildings represent architectural history, while Las Siete Puertas is a 9.5-kilometre linear hike.

For the broader travel overview: San Lorenzo De El Escorial.