There is a little town hidden among the Madrid mountains that almost no one knows exists and that is a true rarity within Madrid. With only 98 inhabitants, this medieval town is surrounded by the Sierra del Rincón, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This geographical isolation has allowed it the impossible: to remain anchored in the past, with all its identity and all its charm intact.
Puebla de la Sierra is not a very common weekend destination, nor is it on the list of typical getaways near the capital. What it is is one of the most beautiful towns in Madrid, with its narrow, cobbled streets, its black rock facades and its quiet, rural life, without convenience stores. souvenirs No bars on every corner.
Parish of the Immaculate Conception
Walking through its quiet streets you will come across the Parroquia de la Purísima Concepción, a curious 18th century temple with exposed brick. This is due to the Civil War, when its walls were destroyed and it was decided to strip it and leave it with the original material visible.
Other notable buildings are the 16th century forge, an Arab building with a wooden structure and masonry walls that, today, functions as a museum and continues to repair livestock pieces. In addition, the hermitage of the Virgen de los Dolores from 1564 also has traces of Arab architecture: its fountain.
Forge Museum
In addition to being a beautiful town, it hides a very unexpected curiosity. It is surrounded by contemporary outdoor sculptures, in a natural space known as the Valley of Dreams. The promoter of this museum was the artist Federico Eguía, the same one who created the Japanese Museum of Puebla de la Sierra. As you hear, this town lost in the mountains has so many Japanese works that it has earned brotherhood with Osaka and the nickname 'Osaka of Spain'.
In addition to the town, we can do hiking routes in the surroundings. The most famous is the Route of the centenary oaks: it leaves from the old laundry and runs three very easy kilometers along the bed of the Cuesta stream. After the kicking, it's time for a meal at La Posada de la Puebla, the only restaurant in town, with traditional and exquisite Castilian cuisine.
