Within the territory of the Region of Madrid There is a small and picturesque municipality called The Hiruela. Very few people actually live here, there are not even a hundred residents, but it is a very beautiful place that you can visit.
Today, then, we will learn more about La Hiruela.
Region of Madrid
If you are not Spanish and you are reading us, you have surely heard about the Valencian Community or the Basque Country, but have you heard about the Community of Madrid? It is another of the autonomous communities Spanish, in this case located on the southern subplateau of the Central Plateau (the oldest relief on the Iberian Peninsula, a fairly large block that is about 600 meters above sea level).
The Region of Madrid It borders those of Toledo, Guadalajara, part of Cuenca in Castilla-La Mancha and the provinces of Sogovia and Ávila, in Castilla y León.. It is uniprovincial so it does not have a deputation. Obvious, the capital is the city of Madrid, at the same time capital of the country. Note that it is not a very old community, it was formed at the end of the '70s of the last century and before that it was part of Castilla la Nueva.
If we think about the number of inhabitants, the Community of Madrid It is the third on the list but the most densely populated. It is one of the richest places in the nation and with many artistic and urban treasures that attract visitors from all over the world.
La Hiruela is here and although we have said that many people live in the Community of Madrid, the truth is that La Hiruela is the third least populated municipality of all those that make it up.
The Hiruela
The population was part of the Community of Villa y Tierra de Sepúlveda and in its beginnings it was called The Hiruela of Buitrago. It was during the first half of the XNUMXth century that, along with other local populations, it became independent from Colmenar de la Sierra and became part of the province of Guadalajara. AND since 1838 it has been part of Madrid.
The municipality of La Hiruela It is within the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve, on the northeastern limit of the Sierra Norte de Madrid. It nestles between hills, near the eastern slope of the Sierra de Somosierra, in the Jarama River basin. The reserve is less than one hundred kilometers from Madrid, between the Ayllón and Somosierra massifs, with six municipalities within: La Hiruela, Montejo de la Sierra, Prádena del Rincón, Horcajuelo de la Sierra, Pueblo de la Sierra and Madarcos.
This reserve occupies an area of 15.231 hectares and has been a reserve recognized by UNESCO since 2005.. It has wonderful landscapes, rich and well-preserved ecosystems because in places where there is exploitation of some kind it is always the use of sustainable development practices. There are plenty here pine and oak forests, and there is the only beech forest in the Community of Madrid.
This beech forest can be visited, but in small groups and only with a guide, so if you like the idea you should book. It is not necessary to do so in advance, 50% of reservations are granted the same day in person, at the Reserve office in Montejo de la Sierra. But of course, you can do it by phone or from the website.
Not much is known about when the proto-town of La Hiruela appeared, but It is believed that the first settlements occurred after the Reconquista. It has always had a lot of autonomy and today it can be said that it is one of the most picturesque and well-preserved towns in the Sierra Norte. Its simple stone houses, arranged in well-designed blocks, with small, narrow streets that open onto fields and orchards, are a pleasure to behold.
What to see and do in La Hiruela
In our list of what to see in La Hiruela, brief but interesting, we cannot leave out the Ethnographic Museum – Flour Mill. In fact, on the upper floor of the old mill there has been a museum since 2002 where you can soak up the local lifestyle. You will see, furthermore, period clothing, farm implements and typical livestock objects.
Inside too A classic, rural, local house from the XNUMXth century has been recreated, which has been intelligently drawn up with four thematic axes: work, celebration, rest and meeting. Neighbors have donated objects, photographs and other things and as you walk through the site you hear a voice that tells and makes the rooms come to life, bringing shine to this cultural heritage that is not usually known as much.
And of course, the icing on the cake is himself. Flour mill, although first you must see the Traditional Apiary. Furthermore, next to the mill and the Jarama River there is a recreation area, right on the border with Guadalajara, ideal for having a picnic under the shade of the trees and on wooden tables well arranged for that.
And that's it, with this visit you already have a good glimpse of what La Hiruela is in terms of history and customs. This museum and mill are on Calle Herrerías Nº2 and open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Another interesting thing that we can know, if we are lucky to land in La Hiruela in time, is the Pero Harvest Festival. The festival values local agriculture, while recognizing the centuries-old work of the neighbors when it comes to maintaining, conserving and promoting the agricultural productions of fruit trees, among them the beautiful but. No, it is not a pear tree, but rather, a variety of apple with an exquisite aroma and flavor.
But is the king of local crops always, and according to what they say, La Hiruela was very famous for it, to the point that it was sold in the La Cebada Market, in the Villa and consumed at the court and among the royal family. If you visit for the festival, then you will see an aretesanal market with many stalls and also many activities: apple tastings, typical recipes made with different varieties of this fruit, demonstration of grafting techniques, walks through the orchards, walks on the back of donkeys, hiking (there are several routes), traditional children's games, mountain dances, folk music, theater, visits to the mill and the museum, the apiary, the Town Hall, the old school, today Bar-Social, the Teacher's House and the Priest's House…
Lastly, you can also do astronomical observation at night. Yes, it's about spending a couple of hours in the Sierra del Rincón to learn about the sky and the stars with the help of an astronomical telescope, Starlight monitors and astronomer's binoculars. For 15 euros.
Finally, How do you get to La Hiruela? In an hour and a half by car you connect Madrid with La Hiruela along the highway A-1. Let nothing stop you from doing this little excursion of rural tourism in Hiruela.