What to see and do in Chinchón in 1 day, beautiful town in Madrid

I had been wanting to return to visit Chinchón, which is famous for having one of the medieval squares with more charm than we can find in Spain.

To such an extent that I can assure you that it is one of the most beautiful towns you can visit in our country.

This cozy town is located very near Madrid, just 45 kilometers southeast of the capital and in the so-called region of Las Vegas, and has become one of the most typical excursions from the capital.

History of Chinchón

The town of Chinchón was founded by the Arabs in the 11th century, and was under Muslim domination for three and a half centuries, although there are remains of its existence since the Neolithic.

The first town hall was established under the reign of the Catholic kings in 1499, who visited the city on several occasions.

In 1739, Philip V granted Chinchón the title of “Very noble and very loyal” that appears on the city's coat of arms, for its loyalty to the Bourbons during the War of succession.

During the War of independence Many significant events took place, such as the execution of more than 50 of its inhabitants by the French army.

Alfonso XIII In 1916 he was granted the title of city for the important development of its agriculture, but above all for the support of Monarchy.

The best things to see and do in Chinchón

The axis of your Chinchón visit It's going to be your unique medieval square, from where you can access most of the town's most significant buildings on foot.

In this way, walking through its cobbled streets will be another of the pleasures that you should not miss on your excursion to this Madrid town.

Main Square of Chinchón

La Plaza Mayor of Chinchón It is configured as a large closed area with four entrances to it.

During your visit you will see that it has a three-story building, almost circular and with arcades, in which more than 200 wooden balconies called clear.

These balconies have the uniqueness that they do not belong to the house that precedes them, as they may be owned by a different owner, and some are rented when there are events.

Other balconies are used by restaurants, making it easy to enjoy a meal with pleasant views of the square.

Throughout history, the Plaza Mayor of Chinchón has had different uses, the most significant being bullfighting celebrations, sacramental cars , as a comedy corral.

Also there every year they celebrate The carnivals, just like the Medieval Marketl in commemoration of one of the visits made by the Catholic kings.

La Passion of Christ en eastern It is another of its cultural attractions.

To note that both the town hall and tourist office They are in the same square.

Clock Tower in Chinchón

Passing under one of the most beautiful arches in the square, during your visit you can go to the Clock Tower, which is what remains of the oldest church in Chinchón, that of Our Lady of Grace from the 14th century, which was destroyed during the War of independence.

As a curiosity, there is a saying that refers to the aesthetics of the town: “Chinchón has a tower without a church and a church without a tower".

From the same square you can verify the truth of this saying.

Lope de Vega Theater in Chinchón

Next to the Clock Tower you will find the Lope de Vega Theater, built on the remains of the ancient Palace of the Counts of Chinchón disappeared during the War of the Spanish Succession.

La Harvesters Society He was in charge of its construction in 1891.

It is a very cozy theater that features a beautiful canvas with images of the city that is used as a curtain and is the work of Luis Muriel.

They say that the theater owes its name to the play The Blazon of the Chaves of Villalba which he wrote and signed Lope de Vega during your stay in the aforementioned Palace of the Counts.

The actor José María Sacristán, A native of Chinchón, he is in charge of organizing a theater competition every year.

At the foot of the theater is found in stone, on the ground, the coat of arms of the city of Chinchón.

And from that place you can look out at a viewpoint from where you have great views of the city, as well as the and the Castle of Los Condes. dominating the entire landscape.

Church of the Assumption in Chinchón

La Church of Our Lady of the Assumption It is located below and is the current parish church of the city.

Its construction began in 1534, although it was not completed until 1626, which is reflected in the different styles that frame its interior, from the Gothic y plateresqueUntil the Renaissance y baroque.

During the War of independence The church suffered a lot of damage, especially at an ornamental level, and the roof was badly damaged.

One of the most important artistic works housed inside is located in the high altar and it is the canvas The Assumption of the Virgin which Goya performed in 1812 at the request of his brother Camilo, which was the chaplain of the church and Counts of Chinchón.

As a curiosity, it is said that the face of The Virgin It is that of a maid who worked for Goya, and with whom he apparently had an affair.

The images of the angels that accompany it say that they are those of children from the town in which the painter was inspired.

It should be noted that the crucifixion that is located just above said canvas is impressive due to its three meters in height.

You can return to the square and crossing its arcade, go through the tourist office and town hall that are located next to each other; It is worth looking into this arcade to see an old laundry room that is very well preserved.

When you exit through another side of the square you can take a photo of the beautiful view you have from the arcade that are in front of the church and Clock Tower.

House of Chains in Chinchón

On your walk you will reach the Casa de las Padlocks, which dates back to the end of the 17th century and was the place where Philip V stayed on his visit to Chinchón.

It is a beautiful building baroque with a façade of three sections and a lintel door.

In front of said door you find a thick chain that was used to indicate that someone important was in the house, and which is now not used.

Hermitage of the Rosary in Chinchón

Another notable corner in Chinchón is the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Rosary, a style building baroque whose interior has a single nave with side chapels.

It belonged to Convent of San Agustín and during the Spanish Civil War These chapels were used as cells for prisoners.

A curious barred window is found in the chapel closest to the high altar, from which the prisoners could listen to religious services.

Some frescoes over the transept with brightly colored columns and fretwork draw attention. 

Tourist Parador in the Augustinian monastery

Next to the aforementioned hermitage is the current Chinchón Tourist Parador, which occupies the building of the old Augustinian monastery.

Founded by the Counts of Chinchón In the 17th century, he had as an illustrious guest the Archduke Charles during the War of succession, and later it was a humanistic training center until it became a court of the judicial district.

The place where the monks lived in ancient times is what the aforementioned building occupies today. hostel, and the current Hermitage of the Rosary It was the old church of the convent.

Castle of the Counts of Chinchón

A last significant corner in Chinchón is the and the Castle of Los Condes. whose construction dates back to the end of the 1520th century, but was destroyed by a communal attack in XNUMX.

Later the third Count of Chinchón decided to build the current fortification on the remains of the initial one, but during the aforementioned War of succession, the three days of siege that the city suffered left it destroyed.

Its materials were later used to rebuild many houses, roads and fences, and the castle's last use was as liquor factory.

Today its interior is not visited since it is privately owned.

Finally, it should be added that you Chinchón visit It will be incomplete if you do not finish it with a meal in one of the restaurants in its Plaza Mayor, very popular on festive dates to taste traditional Castilian cuisine.

Map: how to get to Chinchón from Madrid

The beautiful town of Chinchón is located 61 kilometers southeast of the city of Madrid, and you can reach it in an hour by car on the A3 highway.