Castilla La Mancha Spain

What to see in La Puebla de Montalbán (Toledo), birthplace of La Celestina

La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo
La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo

La Puebla de Montalbán Is one of many historic villas that we can find in the province of Toledo and they are well worth a visit.

It is likely that Toledo capital, with its many attractions, attracts us too much when planning a tourist trip to this area and that is why we normally ignore many other places that are very interesting.

It must be taken into account that for a time the Tagus Valley It was the border between the Christian and Muslim kingdoms, and as new territories were conquered, cities and fortresses had to be built.

Curiosities history of La Puebla de Montalbán

Some of the current populations are heirs of this process, and of that period and other later ones, of great splendor, and therefore keep a very interesting heritage.

Places like The Puebla de Montalbán, Staggered, Oropesa, Talavera de la Reina y The Archbishop's Bridge They are a reflection of that history and have a very attractive historic center.

Along the centuries The Puebla de Montalbán, which is 33 kilometers from Toledo, has played a very important role in the region and the result of its history is its monumental complex.

La Puebla de Montalbán, birthplace of Fernando de Roja

La Puebla de Montalbán It is also known for being the birthplace of Ferdinand de Rojas, the author of La Celestina, one of the most influential works in the history of Spanish literature.

La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo
La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo

Celestina Festival in La Puebla de Montalbán

That is why we will find his memory in different places. Furthermore, in the second half of August the Celestine Festival, with different shows.

One of the curiosities of this festival is that some theatrical performances take place in the caves that were excavated centuries ago in the subsoil of La Puebla.

The Puebla de Montalbán and its region was in the power of the Templars since the 12th century, but over time it passed to the Castilla's crown and later at Order of Santiago.

What to see when visiting La Puebla de Montalbán

Many of the most interesting places in The Puebla de Montalbán They concentrate on the around the Plaza Mayor, but there are also other points of interest in the area of ​​the Juan Carlos I Square.

La Celestina Museum in La Puebla de Montalbán

We can start the visit with this last part, since here we will find the La Celestina Museum where a tourist information point is located.

La Celestina Museum in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo
La Celestina Museum in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo

Here we can get a map that will help us in the rest of the visit to the town.

This museum is a tribute to La Celestina and its author.

Thus we find rooms dedicated to Ferdinand de Rojas and its time, as well as a tour of the main editions of the work.

The museum also houses a collection of 32 paintings by the Pueblan painter Teo Puebla that illustrate different characters and scenes.

It is very curious collection of old photos that is on the upper floor and that reflects the life of the inhabitants of Puebla from a century ago through small stories.

La Celestina Museum in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo
La Celestina Museum in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo

A short walk takes us to the Hermitage of Our Lady of Solitude, from the 18th century and with interesting paintings in the altarpiece.

Returning to the museum we will cross the square to reach the immense Franciscan convent.

Plaza Mayor of La Puebla de Montalbán

From here we will walk through the streets in search of the Plaza Mayor, the center of life in La Puebla for centuries.

Of course it is one of the most attractive main squares in the province of Toledo.

Palace of the Counts of Montalbán in La Puebla de Montalbán

It has an irregular layout and overlooks some of the most important buildings in La Puebla, such as the palace of the Counts of Moltalbán.

La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo
La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo

Also notable as a curiosity are the arches that cover three of the entrances and give a very peculiar appearance to the complex.

El palace of the Counts of Montalbán It was built in the 15th century by master of the Order of Santiago although it was later expanded.

La plateresque facade shows a large portal, and inside the three coffered ceilings, a Mudejar, another Gothic and a third Plateresque.

Next to it appears the church of Our Lady of Peace, which was built in the 15th century on the grounds of the palace garden.

Monument to Fernando de Rojas in La Puebla de Montalbán
monument to

Fernando de Rojas in La Puebla de Montalbán

Two arches connect the church with the palace and allow direct access without passing through the street.

Now Plaza Mayor also gives the Town Hall building and several traditional houses with arcades. There are some bars with tables in the square.

If we pass under one of the arches that connect the palace with the church we will immediately reach the hermitage of Christ of Charity.

It is accessed through an irregular but very attractive cobbled patio. Some benches allow you to rest in such a peaceful environment.

If we continue a few more meters along the same street we will reach the roundabout square, where there is a small monument to Ferdinand de Rojas.

La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo
La Puebla de Montalbán in the province of Toledo

If we return to the square we can skirt the church to find, just behind, the great mass of the Convent of the Conceptionist Nuns, closing. Through a gate you access the imposing church.

Motorcycle museum in La Puebla de Montalbán

If we continue along this path we then arrive at Motorcycle Museum, a large private collection of more than 130 restored motorcycles.

The museum is only open in the months of April, May, September and October, on Saturdays and holidays, from 10 a.m. to 14 p.m.

If we go up the hill, we then arrive at the Saint Michael's Tower, which stands on the highest point of the town.

Tower of San Miguel in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo
Tower of San Miguel in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo

It is the tower of a disappeared church and one of the most characteristic monuments of La Puebla de Montalbán.

Barrancas de Burujón near La Puebla de Montalbán

The tour of a historic center full of centuries-old buildings and corners can be completed with a short excursion to a surprising natural space that is just seven kilometers away.

This is the Burujon Canyons, a series of gullies on clay terrain right where the tagus river forms the castrejon reservoir.

In some points the ravines are more than 100 meters high.

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Burujón Canyons in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo
Burujón Canyons in La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo

Map: how to get to La Puebla de Montalbán in Toledo

La Puebla de Montalbán is 34 kilometers west of the city of Toledo already an hour and a quarter southwest of Madrid.

About the Author

Angel Martínez Bermejo

With the experience of being one of the Spanish travel journalists who have traveled the most around the world, Ángel tells us about his trips in Guías Viajar, in addition to collaborating in other prestigious news media such as the magazines Hola Viajes, Viajar or the radio program Gente Viajera

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