Aranda de Duero - Places of Interest

Places of Interest

Santa María la Real is a church built by Simon de Colonia between the 15th and 16th centuries. Its most notable feature is the main doorway. Above the doorway, three carved stone reliefs show Christ carrying the Cross, The Crucifixion and The Resurrection. The doorway is topped by the coat of arms of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. Aranda's own coats of arms is also present along with scenes from the Nativity and other Christian celebrations. Due to their deterioration, the church doors have been replaced by exact copies, the original ones are kept in the Museo Sacro.

San Juan, a church, older than Santa Maria and gothic in style, San Juan still has its fortified defensive tower. The Council of Aranda took place in San Juan in 1473. Nowadays San Juan houses the Museo Sacro.

The Virgen de las Viñas Sanctuary is a 17th century hermitage. It is situated on a small hill to the north of the town. The patron saint of the town is the Virgen de las Viñas, the local legend says that she was found in a vineyard, hence the name.

The Train museum is situated in the old train station “Chelva” and documents the history of Spanish railways.

The Pottery museum houses pottery from all over Spain, with the largest collection from Castile and León.

The Berdugo's palace is a Renaissance mansion.

Bodegas; under the town centre there is a labyrinth of cellars, they were dug between the 12th and 17th centuries. Their original purpose was to store the food and wine that makes the Ribera del Duero famous. Nowadays the Cellars are home to the “Peñas”, cultural associations whose main function is to preserve the cellars, organise social events and ensure the whole of the population enjoy the Fiestas.

San Juan de la Vera Cruz Parish Church.

San Nicolas de Bari is a church in the village of Sinovas.

The Conchuela Bridge.

The Roman Bridge is situated next to the San Juan Church.

The Humilladero is a stone monument on the route to Las Viñas Sanctuary.

Isilla street is the main pedestrian thoroughfare of the town. Local tradition has it that anyone living in Aranda will walk along this street every day.

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