Proximity tourism became a trend with the coronavirus restrictions, however, it is here to stay and now that a pandemic seems like something out of a science fiction movie again, we continue to practice it. For this reason, the platform for booking activities at destination Musement has drawn up a map with the most popular towns among travelers from each province of Spain.
A total of 50 locations that have been selected from a list of spanish municipalities with less than 20,000 inhabitants as the first screening. Then, the data on the volume of monthly searches in Google for the term “what to see in (inster here municipality)” were taken into account.
The reason why that phrase was chosen is because it is one of the most used to plan a getaway. Also to prevent towns with polysemous names from benefiting. In the event of a tie, the town whose name alone had the highest search volume won. All this formed the following map:
However, today we are going to stop at one of them. It is Chinchón, which, at this rate, one day we find more crowded than the Gran Vía. Jokes aside, the most popular town in Madrid is a popular getaway option for residents of neighboring provinces or even for tourists who need to get away from the noise and pollution for a day.
About 45 kilometers from the capital Madrid, with a density of about 5,000 inhabitants and easily walkable, is one of the most beautiful towns in Spain. Chinchón is framed by vineyards and olive trees in the Tagus-Jarama basin and can be boast an iconic Plaza Mayor, good Castilian cuisine and an interesting schedule of festivities.
The first settlers of Chinchón arrived in the Neolithic and lived in some of the many caves in the vicinity. Vestiges of an Ibero settlement have also been found, while the Romans from neighboring Titulcia also established their camps there. In Arab times, Chinchón belonged to Toledo until, in the middle of the 11th century, King Fernando I reconquered the territory.
Under the reign of Enrique IV it received the title of “Villa” and, at the beginning of the 18th century, the county was acquired by the house of Bourbon and Farnese, and was granted the title of “Very Noble and Very Loyal” in recognition of his fidelity in the War of Succession. The French appropriated the goods that Monasteries and Convents kept but, to this day, it still preserves all these jewels.
The most emblematic point of Chinchón is its square: historic, full of arcades, stepped roofs and 234 wooden balconies painted green. Of medieval origin, it has several entrances and a rather irregular shape. It is a Plaza Mayor that is an example of popular Castilian architecture, as well as the nerve center of the town.
Since its construction, between the 15th and 16th centuries, it has been the scene of proclamations and royal festivities, cane games, comedy corral, bullfights, cattle fairs, sacramental plays, executions and even film sets: Cantiflas, Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles or John Wayne recorded there.
In addition, many restaurants and terraces open their doors to have an aperitif or eat. The star dishes are cooked in a wood oven: suckling pig, lamb, kid, chorizo… Accompanied by roasted peppers, Castilian and garlic soups, migas, vigil stew, stew or sheep cheese.
However, if you go, you can’t miss it either Clock Tower and the Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Church, the Castle of the Counts of Chinchón or the Lope de Vega Theater.
Cover photo | @turismomadrid
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