As we mentioned in our previous post, there are several routes of the Black Towns (or Towns of Black Architecture). All of them start from Tamajón and, from that point forward, you can choose between several routes. Today we will see the other two existing options so that you can enjoy all these amazing places. Which route of the Black Towns will you choose?
This small village will be the first stop on our second route. Here all the houses preserve their construction with big slabs of slate. Strolling through the whole village will not take you long and you will see its church that is completely restored but that maintains the essence of black architecture.
El Espinar is located on a hill surrounded by cliffs covered with plants and orchards, giving you spectacular views over the valley. Its streets also being semi-detached with slate and on a hill also give this town a special charm. Among its gems, it has a wash house and a church.
This small village retains the purest architecture of the Black Towns where, sometimes, the walls of the houses are wrapped in a blanket of vegetation providing a particular beauty. The main attraction of Robleluengo is in its main beach where we find the Hermitage of San Pedro in Romanesque style and where we can stop on the way to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
We end this route in this town nestled at the foot of the Ocejón. Thanks to its location, besides being a special place thanks to black architecture, it is the starting point of other routes related to nature. From here we can climb to the peak of Ocejón, the peak of Campachuelo, or continue to the town of Cantalojas to visit the Hayedo de Tejera Negra. Without a doubt, one of the best places where to discover one of the black towns and enjoy nature.
This municipality also belongs to the route just explained, but also is the third route that will end in Cardoso de la Sierra. Here, in addition to being another one of the best examples of the architecture of the Black Towns, we find several places to highlight: the Parish Church of Santa María Magdalena, the square bearing the same name and the Solar Clock Tower. Everything in this place will leave you impressed.
Very close to Campillo de Ranas, it is also a stop on the road to Majaelrayo and Cardoso de la Sierra. This small village presents the typical architecture but, its main attraction, lies in its proximity to the Waterfall of Aljibe, located in Alto Jarama. This is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Guadalajara with a total height of about ten meters, located in the mountains of Ayllón. A good time to cool down and get carried away by the surroundings.
The last route of the Black Towns is located along the Jarama River. In this route, we will not find great examples of black architecture. However, we still find places of interest such as the Parish Church of Santa Maria la Blanca, located in Plaza Mayor de Bocígano or the feast day of the local patron saint in honor of San Cristóbal, held on August 22 in Colmenar de la Sierra. The last stop, Cardoso de la Sierra does have several interesting monuments: the Church of Santiago Apostle, which is estimated to have been built around the 11th century, the Hermitage of San Roque (19th century), the Fountain of la Plaza (rebuilt in 2004), the Fountain of la Malilla (the oldest in the area) and the flour mill located next to the Jarama River constructed with local stone.
