Attractions and Places To See around Quijorna - Top 20

Quijorna is rich in history. You can visit the 15th-century Iglesia Parroquial San Juan Evangelista, located on the highest part of town, which was largely reconstructed after the Spanish Civil War. The town also features remnants of its industrial past with the Old Lime Kiln of Quijorna, which supplied materials for significant constructions like the El Escorial Monastery. Additionally, you can find various Civil War Fortifications (Fortines) scattered across the hills, including a notable cross-shaped fortin on the M-522 road.

Yes, Quijorna boasts a diverse natural environment. Its landscape features holm oaks, retama thickets, rosemary bushes, thyme fields, poplar groves, and ash forests. Approximately half of the municipal area is designated as a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) of the holm oak forests of the Alberche and Cofio rivers, making it a great spot for wildlife observation.

The area around Quijorna is ideal for various outdoor activities. You can enjoy hiking, cycling, and horseback riding on an extensive network of paths. Popular routes include the Cañada Real Segoviana and the Vereda de los Morales. For specific routes, you can explore the Hiking around Quijorna, MTB Trails around Quijorna, and Road Cycling Routes around Quijorna guides.

Families can enjoy the peaceful and accessible environment around the Hermitage of the Virgen del Soto. It offers a quiet place to rest with tables nearby and features flat terrain, making it suitable for children's bikes. The natural landscapes and extensive network of trails also provide opportunities for family walks and gentle cycling.

The Aulencia Castle, also known as the Castle of Villafranca, is a significant historical site. However, it is privately owned and currently in a state of ruin, which means it is not accessible to the public for visits.

The Old Lime Kiln of Quijorna represents a crucial part of the town's cultural and industrial heritage. These kilns were used to produce lime, with material reportedly supplied for the construction of the El Escorial Monastery as early as 1566 and the Puente de Toledo in Madrid in the 18th century. Some even suggest the abundance of these kilns influenced the town's name.

Quijorna played a role in the Spanish Civil War, and you can still find remnants of bunkers and fortifications (Fortines) scattered across the hills adjacent to the urban area. A particularly curious fortin with a cross-shaped plan is located on the M-522 road, offering a glimpse into the region's wartime history.

El Mojón is a historical boundary stone located in the Plaza del Dr. Santos Muñoz Burón. It once marked the limits of a Royal small game hunting ground, offering a small but interesting piece of local history.

The Aulencia River Dam is a historical site. However, it is currently closed and cannot be crossed. While the dam itself is inaccessible, a very technical trail can be found on its left bank for experienced hikers or cyclists.

The Wooden Bridge over the Guadarrama River in Boadilla has been rebuilt and is now perfectly safe to cross, especially for cyclists. It provides a scenic crossing point over the river, often featuring sandbanks nearby.

Given that approximately half of Quijorna's municipal area is a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA), you can encounter diverse wildlife. This includes wild boar, Iberian lynx, rabbits, Iberian hares, and various bird species such as white storks, kestrels, hobbies, and red-legged partridges.

Yes, there are hiking routes designed to explore Quijorna's historical elements. For instance, the 'For the remains of the Civil War and the lime kilns — circular from Quijorna' route, found in the Hiking around Quijorna guide, specifically takes you past Civil War remnants and the historic lime kilns.