Valdemaqueda town hall

Valdemaqueda town hall faces onto Plaza de España, right at the heart of this small village in the Sierra Oeste de Madrid region. It shares the square with a second civic building, and together they form the natural landmark for anyone exploring the village center.

What makes this town hall notable?

Plaza de España actually holds two town halls standing side by side. The older structure no longer serves an administrative role — it now houses the village's Public Internet Access Center, open to residents and visitors alike. The newer building, a striking piece of contemporary architecture, won the FAD Award (Fomento de las Artes y del Diseño) in 1999, one of Spain's most respected architecture prizes. That contrast between the old civic building and its modern replacement is reason enough to stop by the square, even for travelers with no particular interest in local government.

How do you get there?

Valdemaqueda sits in the province of Madrid, tucked into the Sierra Oeste range at an elevation that keeps summers noticeably cooler than in the capital. The town hall sits almost exactly at the geographic center of the village, near coordinates 40.5112°N, -4.2957°W, so finding it from anywhere in town simply means heading toward the main square. Driving from Madrid typically takes around an hour, depending on which route you take through the surrounding Sierra Oeste villages.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

A handful of sights sit within easy walking distance and pair naturally with a stop at the town hall. The parish church of San Lorenzo Mártir, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, stands out for its rectangular floor plan and octagonal chancel. Along the Dos de Mayo route you'll find the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, dating to the 17th–18th centuries, where the village holds its traditional romería (pilgrimage festival) every first Sunday of June. A short distance further out lies Puente Mocha, also known as Puente de los Cinco Ojos — a late-16th-century bridge and one of the oldest surviving structures in the area.

When should you visit?

Valdemaqueda has long served as a summer retreat for Madrid residents escaping the city heat, so summer draws the largest crowds — especially around the early-June romería, when the village turns out for its traditional religious festival. Outside the summer months, the village keeps its quiet, rural character, which suits travelers who prefer exploring without the crowds.

The village's own history stretches back to the medieval resettlement of lands belonging to Ávila, a process that began around the year 1090. Valdemaqueda first appears by name in historical records in 1340, and permanent settlement in the area was cemented in 1275, when King Alfonso X granted these lands to knights from Ávila under royal charter. By 1790, residents were petitioning to come under direct royal control, weary of belonging to the Marquisate of las Navas. That centuries-long administrative backdrop gives extra context to today's town hall — simply the latest chapter in the village's long relationship with local government.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Valdemaqueda town hall located? It stands on Plaza de España, the village's main square, at its geographic center.

Are there really two town halls in Valdemaqueda? Yes. The same square holds two buildings: an older one now converted into a Public Internet Access Center, and a newer one that won Spain's prestigious FAD Award in 1999.

What else can I see near the town hall? Nearby you'll find the church of San Lorenzo Mártir, the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, and the historic Puente Mocha bridge (Puente de los Cinco Ojos).

When is the best time to visit Valdemaqueda? Summer, particularly the first Sunday of June during the traditional romería, though the village offers a quieter experience the rest of the year.