The Castle — An emblem of civilisations.
Heritage
The inner area contains the former residential section and the use of double windows and half-point arches leads us to believe that it was a stately palace. Furthermore, within this inner area we will find the parade ground, a rectangular patio surrounded by rooms, the old chapter hall, the courtyard of homage and the keep. Excavation has been initiated in this area in order to recover an old wine cellar that dates back to the Middle Ages.
The Cemetery — Spain’s best graveyard.
Awarded with the prize for Spain’s Best Cemetery in 2015 by the magazine “Adiós”, in collaboration with the Association of Mortuaries and Local Cemeteries (AFCM).
Montánchez cemetery is, without a doubt, an extremely special place. Located on the flank of a rugged cliff, crowned by an Arabic castle, the cemetery was formed by digging and moulding the granite located on the mountainside. Terraces were built at different levels depending on the inclination of the land.
The swaying stone — A moving rock.
A large rock which is considered as a megalithic monument by some and as an object of prehistoric naturalist worship by others.
The interesting thing about it is that it could be moved with the strength of a single finger. In contrast, when applying greater strength the rock would not move at all. Unfortunately, during the Spanish Civil War two companies from the National Regiment knocked the rock down in order to prove their “bravery”.
In 2003, the Montánchez Town Council decided to erect this natural monument once again and it now stands as it did in past centuries. Although its original movement could not be restored, the swaying stone still has a touch of magic.
The bell tower.
The bell tower of Montánchez stands out due to the interesting fact that it was built adjacent to the parish church of San Mateo, located in a charming area with a viewpoint and green spaces. An interesting place which is well worth a visit when in Montánchez.
The crosses.
There are several crosses throughout the village of Montánchez. Among the most important are the three crosses of Calvary, the cross of the martyrs, the cross of the meadow, known as “El Pocito” and the cross that crowns the fountain with two spouts. These relics, which are carved in granite, were generally placed at the entrances and exits of villages or at the crossroads of paths.
Canchalejo district.
It is the town’s oldest district and its main characteristic is the irregular layout of its streets. Narrow streets, some of which lead to dead ends, and beautiful corners. A place where you can lose yourself and go back in time.
Parish Church of San Mateo.
Built in the 14th Century in around 1380. As it stands today, it dates back to 1694. The architect was Francisco Iglesias. Certain theories indicate that the aim of the original project was to build a bigger church, but the project had to be abandoned due to a lack of funds.
The hermitages.
Montánchez’s heritage boasts seven hermitages. Built in honour of the Virgin of Pilar, the Virgin of Fátima, Saint Domingo, the Virgin of Los Remedios, Saint Anthony, the Martyrs and that located in the castle where the patron saint of Montánchez rests. Each has a different style and size, but they all have different aspects which make them unique.
