Our Surroundings, Treasures, And Trails To Discover of Hotel Quinta San Francisco in Castrojeriz. Official Website.
Our surroundings, treasures, and trails to discover
Located at a privileged point on the Camino de Santiago, Castrojeriz is very close to the province of Palencia, making Quinta San Francisco the ideal place to calmly explore the treasures of both regions. In less than an hour, you can discover monumental towns, archaeological remains, and landscapes that capture the essence of Castile.
The roads connecting these destinations —beautiful, peaceful, and almost traffic-free— pass through cereal fields, gentle hills, and villages that seem frozen in time. Every journey is as enjoyable as the arrival.
Within a short distance, you will find Frómista, with its Church of San Martín de Tours, a gem of European Romanesque architecture; a boat ride along the Canal de Castilla; the monumental town of Sasamón, ancient Roman Segisama Iulia; the Roman Villa of La Olmeda, with its exceptional mosaics; and the routes through the Villas of Amaya and the lands of Campos, where history, nature, and silence coexist in perfect harmony.
Each of these experiences has been carefully and lovingly selected so that you can discover the best of our surroundings with the same calm that you experience at Quinta San Francisco.
Visit Frómista, a Romanesque gem on the Camino
Just 20 minutes from Quinta San Francisco, Frómista is an essential stop for lovers of history and art.
Its Church of San Martín de Tours, considered one of the masterpieces of European Romanesque art, coexists with canals, locks, and walks along the Canal of Castile.
A visit that combines heritage, landscape, and the essence of the Camino de Santiago.
Sail through history on the Canal de Castilla
Just 25 minutes from our hotel, the Canal de Castilla invites you to discover one of the great engineering projects of the 18th century. This historic canal is today a unique space for strolling, cycling, or embarking on a peaceful journey between locks and grain fields.
The boat trip takes approximately one hour and can be boarded from two ports:
•Departure from Frómista: Juan de Homar boat (Boat suitable for dogs).
Information and reservations: https://www.terranostrum.es/actividades/ruta-en-barco-canal-de-castilla-fromista
•Departure from Melgar de Fernamental: San Carlos de Abánades boat.
Information and reservations https://www.melgardefernamental.es/barco-san-carlos-de-abanades
Visit La Olmeda, a journey to ancient Rome
Just over an hour from Quinta San Francisco is the La Olmeda Roman Villa, one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain.
Its mosaics, in an exceptional state of preservation, allow a glimpse into the daily life of a large villa of the Late Empire. An essential visit for lovers of history and culture.
More information: https://www.villaromanalaolmeda.com/
Villas de Amaya Route
The Villas de Amaya Route winds through some of the most singular enclaves in the province of Burgos, where Roman heritage, medieval life, and the grandeur of the natural world intertwine. This circular itinerary, starting from Castrojeriz, is an invitation to slow down and savour villages steeped in history, unique landscapes, and the curious tales that surprise at every turn.
In Sasamón—the ancient Segisama Iulia—one can still find Roman walls and bridges, alongside the imposing Collegiate Church of Santa María la Real, the third largest in Burgos. Villadiego, a medieval town with a profound Jewish legacy, is notable for its arched Main Square, diverse museums, and the whimsical Fabulantis, dedicated to the legendary comic hero Capitán Trueno. It is here that the famous Spanish expression “tomar las de Villadiego” (to make a quick getaway) originated, referring to the sanctuary and protection that the Jewish community once found within the town walls.
The journey then ascends to the Peña Amaya Hillfort, an archaeological and natural site of immense value featuring Cantabrian and Visigothic remains and spectacular panoramic vistas. A stop at the Yegua Mea Waterfall in Fuenteodra provides a moment of connection with nature in its purest, most photogenic form. The itinerary is completed by the UNESCO-recognised Las Loras Geopark, where river canyons and karst formations transform the landscape into a breathtaking open-air geological museum.
The route covers approximately 90 kilometres and takes between 6 am and 1 pm (roughly 6-7 hours) including stops.
Route of history and legends in Tierra de Campos
This circular route of about 90 km from Castrojeriz invites you to enjoy the calm of Tierra de Campos, amid open horizons, monumental heritage and historical memories that still resonate in its villages. In Támara de Campos, the scene of medieval battles and treaties, stands out the imposing church of San Hipólito el Real, of cathedral-like dimensions, alongside the memory of the ancient Nine Villas of Campos.
Very close by, Santoyo surprises with the church of San Juan Bautista, called the “Noble Villana”, and the Pigeon Loft Thematic Center, dedicated to this popular architecture so characteristic of the region. The journey culminates in Astudillo, a historic ensemble declared a Site of Cultural Interest, with its medieval layout, underground wineries full of legends, and the Royal Monastery of Santa Clara, which houses a valuable Mudéjar museum.
Between quiet walks, cultural visits, and a leisurely lunch, the History and Legends Route in Tierra de Campos becomes a perfect day to discover the essence of Castilla through its villages, landscapes, and stories.