What to see and do in Sepúlveda (besides eating lamb and suckling pig)

Before my most recent excursion through the province of Segovia, only on a couple of occasions had I visited the historic town of Sepúlveda, always with the exclusive purpose of enjoying the typical segovian gastronomy in one of their restaurants.

Therefore he had not dedicated the time necessary to walk through its historic center.

This led me to the idea that it was a town of less interest than other more well-known ones in that province, above all, Pedraza.

But on the aforementioned excursion of a couple of days, which also took me to places like the aforementioned Pedraza, Hoces del Duratón or Riaza Beech Forest, I had the opportunity to spend the night in Sepúlveda, walk through its streets and discover some of its monuments.

And the conclusion is that it is a town that deserves a good visit, with very charming corners and a couple of romanesque churches really interesting.

Curiosities about the history of Sepúlveda

At the outset I will tell you that Sepúlveda is a characteristic segovian town whose origins date back to before the Romans.

The first documentation discovered about Sepúlveda He refers to it as one of the places abandoned by the Muslims during their retreat.

Repopulated in the 11th century at the time of Alfonso VI, recovered the privileges that Sepúlveda had granted the Counts Fernán González.

A sign of its later rise during the Middle Ages is that it once had up to 15 churches, some of which you can now visit.

This is the experience of visiting Sepúlveda, the best things to see and do

With the experience of our visitWe advise you that when you arrive in Sepúlveda, we recommend leaving your car in one of the large, designated and properly signposted parking lots at the main entrances.

If you arrive by the road that leads you from the nearby Pedraza, you will be able to enjoy what are undoubtedly the best panoramic views of the town of Sepúlveda,

From the same road you will see how a group of hanging houses extend along the side of the hill where this Segovian town sits.

You should start the visit from its beautiful Plaza Mayor, which shows a clear rectangular configuration.

In the west-east orientation you will have one of the most characteristic images of Sepúlveda, with a façade of the old castle and, in the background on top of the hill, the Romanesque church of the Savior.

Indeed, Sepúlveda It is a town that was once completely walled, but now only some sections and some gates remain.

Plaza Mayor of Sepúlveda

If from the Plaza Mayor You walk out of the southwest corner, you will pass by the old Council Prison and tourist office.

A little further on you will reach the old Church of Santiago, one of the five Romanesque ones that still stand, and where the Hoces del Duratón Park House.

That is where they will provide you with all the information you need to visit this Hoces del Duratón natural park.

From there you can go up the narrow alleys of the town to the main Romanesque church of Sepúlveda, With the Salvador.

During this climb you will pass through beautiful rural corners and you will enjoy Panoramic views of the town, although without a doubt you will have the best ones from the church's own viewpoint.

Church of the Savior in Sepúlveda

The aforementioned church of the savior It is a building from the end of the 11th century and is considered one of the main Romanesque monuments from this area of ​​Castilla.

With a single nave and a semicircular apse inside, perhaps the most interesting corner is its beautiful porticoed arch, where you should pay attention to the curious motifs of the capitals.

Puerta del Azogue in Sepúlveda

Returning to the walk through the old town of Sepúlveda, if you leave the square from the northwest corner, you will go next to a section of wall and you will be able to cross the Azogue Gate.

From there you will pass by the Church of Saints Justo and Pastor, another Romanesque building, this time from the 12th century, which currently houses the museum of the Fueros.

By this route you will reach the Church of the Virgin of La Peña, located on a rocky promontory that is surrounded by the duraton river, which makes its way through the limestone rocks.

This church is also from the 12th century, although its portico was built in the 13th century.

Its eardrum is one of its most outstanding artistic corners.

Finally, in this place be sure to look out at the viewpoint from where you can see a preview of the Hoces del Duratón that actually begin in this enclave.

How to get to Sepulveda

Sepúlveda It is located one hour by car from the city of Segovia y an hour and a half from Madrid.