Free walking tours in Fresno el Viejo and what to see

Must-sees

Fresno el Viejo is a village on the Castilian plain, at the southern tip of the province of Valladolid, where it borders Salamanca and Ávila. In the early 12th century Queen Urraca gave it to the Knights Hospitaller of St John, and from its medieval past remain the square of the Order's castle and remains of a necropolis. Its great monument is the church of San Juan Bautista, built in brick and rubble over a Romanesque church, with an apse in the Romanesque tradition and a set of 15th-century murals.

The village has several spaces designed for visitors. The «De Antaño a Hogaño» ethnographic museum shows rural life with a farmhouse, a courtyard of trades and moving models. The Nature Room, in an old dovecote, explains the wildlife and plants of the plain. The chapel of La Soledad, with its viewpoint, completes the visit.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no free tours in Fresno el Viejo. The activity you can book is entry to La Era de las Aves, a zoo set in an old threshing floor, with more than a hundred species and a play area, highly recommended if you are travelling with children. Otherwise the town hall is the point of contact, and Fresno is part of the Rueda Wine Route, with wineries to visit in the area.

How long to spend

The village and the church take a couple of hours. Add the zoo, the ethnographic museum and the Nature Room and allow a full day, ideal for a family outing. With a second day you can visit Medina del Campo and its Castillo de la Mota, about half an hour's drive away.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Fresno el Viejo is limited, mainly rural houses in the village, convenient for walking between the church, the square and the zoo. If you cannot find a room, Medina del Campo is the best alternative, with more hotels and services. Peñaranda de Bracamonte, across the border in Salamanca, is also close.