The first written record of the existence of Cantalejo dates back to the twelfth century when it was called by the name of “Cantaleio”. An etymology that can go back to the Celts and that means canton or corner. Centuries later, the Romans and the Visigoths also occupied this town to which, in 1926, Alfonso XIII granted it the title of city and which is today one of the most populated towns in all of Segovia.
Located between lands of pine forests and cereals, 50 km from the Segovian capital; 90 km from Valladolid and 131 km from Madrid, it is a prosperous city, where nature and industry mix and where, in addition to touring the kilometers of its multiple paths, It has a rich historical and natural heritage worth visiting.
Church of San Andres
Occupying the site of an old Romanesque hermitage from the 13th century, this church was built in the 17th century. It mixes its styles, from neoclassical to baroque and consists of three naves, separated by pillars and star-shaped ribbed vaults. It was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1995. Inside, the altarpiece of the main altar stands out with the image of Saint Andrew.
Hermitage of Our Lady of Pinar
Of Romanesque origin, it was a residence of Templar origin. Although with its multiple restorations it has been losing the paintings of the apse. What is still preserved are the archivolts of the portal and the openings of the apse.
Threshing Museum
The manufacture of threshers and sieves has been one of the main economic activities of the town, so this space shows its history and evolution. Cantalejano threshing descends from the Roman threshing and has been essential in farming for centuries. In fact, we can also go through Cervantes street where, in its roundabout, there is a metal sculpture in which a man appears making a threshing machine, as a symbol of the town.
Cantalejo Lagoons
It is a total of 25 lagoons that house a great diversity of fauna and for this reason they are included in the catalog of Wetlands of Castilla y León and declared as a Special Protection Area for Birds. Some of the species that we can find are ducks, cranes, herons… In addition, this wetland stands out for being the only one in Spain in continental sands. It is adapted to visits, with walking areas and viewpoints for bird watching.
Cover photo | @segoviatourism