San Martín de Montalbán

Location

46 km from the city of Toledo, taking the road to Guadamur, Polan, and Galvez.

Tourist information

San Martín de Montalban Town Hall
Phone: 925 41 96 29.

How to get there

Road transport

The town itself boasts the Parish Church of San Andrés, from the 16th century, built by Jorge Manuel Theotokopoulos, the son of the painter El Greco.

On the way to La Puebla we come to a crossroads; the one leading left takes us to the Castle of Montalban, erected by the Knights Templar over the remains of a Muslim fortress from the 12th century. It is a huge fortress, structured so that it can lodge a large garrison and the entire population of the surroundings, with a perimeter in the main section of 700 metres, protected by five towers. The walls are adapted to the terrain, being very high on the east and south, whereas the other two sides are naturally protected by the big cliff overlooking the Torcon river. It features two grandiose Albarran Towers, one of which lacks a wall in the lower passageway, making it quite spectacular because there are approximately 18 metres to the keystone.


At the crossroads mentioned above, the road leading to the right takes us to the Sitio de Melque, where we can see the Visigoth Church of Santa María de Melque, remains of the monastery, Roman dams and remains of the Roman aqueduct. The church is one of the most subjugating constructions in Spain, due to its architectural features and its obscure origin. With altar stalls made of granite, the core of the building has a Greek Cross layout, to which were added sections that gave it the present structure and made it a fortress. The base of the cross vault shows what could have become a tower, with few decorations, hollows in the tour façades, a horseshoe shaped apse, mouldings and stuccos with the Trees of Life and the fleurs de lis and rosettes attesting to its Visigoth origin
Alongside the hermitage there is the Centre of Interpretation of Melque.


Following the course of the Torcon River on the way to Navahermosa we come across a Roman bridge called 'la Canasta’ [the Basket].


The splendid natural surroundings and landscape make it an ideal place for all kinds of activities relating to Nature.

Special trips in San Martín de Montalbán

Templar Castle of Montalban (13th cenury).
Visigoth Hermitage of Santa María de Melque(8th-9th centuries).
Roman bridge of 'La Canasta’.
Parish Church of San Andrés (16th century.
Small palace-home(early 20th century).
Dolmen Monument (Neolithic period).
Recreational area of 'La Cantuergana’ by the Torcon River.
Festivities of the Ausente (15 August).
Patron Saint Festivities of the Cristo de la Luz (first Saturday in May)
Pilgrimage of Melque (second Saturday in May).