Altitude: 523 m
Population: 411
(2006.Source INE)
Natives: Chamarilos.
The small original temple gave name to the village of La Iglesuela
that, even in the late eighteenth century, was annexed by the church
of La Adrada.
Although there are remnants of Roman times and even earlier, the first
written document on this site dates from 1276, when King Alfonso X “the
Wise” gave rise to Velázquez Velasco Avila, who changed
its name to Florida because of the abundant vegetation owned by the
place. The privilege of granting it the name of village was given by
Philip IV in the year 1641, according to a copy of the actual implementation,
the document is on files within the City Council, thus allowing them
their independence from the manor of La Adrada.
It is one of the northernmost towns in the province of Toledo, north of the county. The territory is washed by the waters of the river Tietar that separates Ávila and Toledo.
By car, you can access from the N-501 and near La Adrada, you can take
the diversion to The Iglesuela by the CM-5053. Or perhaps you can get
the N-V to Navamorcuende and detour by the CM-5054 to La Iglesuela. It
is also accessible by bus.
CHURCH OF SANTA MARIA DE LA OLIVA (*): Late Gothic. Construction on ashlars XVI-XVIII in three naves without frame and with a large chapel and apse of three parameters. Tower at the foot.
ERMITA DE LA FUENSANTA (*): XIX-XX century. Hermitage of a single structure with rectangular flat roof. In the north wall, under the porch there is a small source of crystalline water. It is located about 500 m from the town, heading north. It holds a pilgrimage on May 1.
ERMITA OF CHRIST: Hermitage of square shape, with side access, XVI. Now in ruins, but there is a local association that tries to raise funds for their rehabilitation. Hosted a ceramic retable by Ruiz de Luna, which was stolen years ago.
(*) Monument included in the inventory of regional heritage of the Province of Toledo.
CITY HALL: two-storey
building located in the Plaza of Spain, which dates back to 1791 with
a facade built with granite seating and has four arches in its facade.
ROMAN BRIDGE on the road to Casavieja (*): Roman bridge
of a single eye with a single semicircular arc starting on the rocks of
the riverbed of the Tietar.
ROMAN BRIDGE in the old way to Talavera (*): Roman bridge
with three eyes over Garganta Torinas.
FOUNTAIN-WATERING PLACE (*): Fountain of community use
in El Ejido, a common grazing area. C XVII-XVIII, of Baroque style in
its pipe it appears a stone wall topped by triangular pediment with pinnacles
on which there should have been balls.
EL EJIDO: A compound of corrals and haylofts clustered
on the outskirts of the village next to Las Eras (common property). It
includes: three watering places, a horse-shoe shack and a pier.
STONE WELLS (*): C XVIII. They are found throughout the
town. They are built with large stones of granite and were formerly used
to supply water to the population. Currently the water is used to wash
the olives before putting them for seasoning, since the water is not chlorinated.
They are generally fitted with a pylon of different shapes and water is
supplied by manual methods.
(*) Monument included in the inventory of regional heritage of the Province of Toledo.
A few miles from La Iglesuela we have the Stone Zoo, but it is located in the municipality of Almendral de la Cañada. It was made by the farmer and sculptor, D. Longinos Ayuso, a native of La Iglesuela. This is a set of animal sculptures carved on the granite rocks that the farmer did while his cattle grazed.
The rural exodus of the last century marked this town. In the 50s it
came to exceed the figure of 1,300 inhabitants, while between 70 and
80 it suffered a drastic drop which placed the population below 500
inhabitants, a figure that has not yet recovered.
April 21: (Weekend closest to 21) Pilgrimage to carry the Virgin of the Church and Fuensanta Rural Fair.
May 1: Our Lady of Fuensanta.
September 8: Our Lady of Olives.
In virtually all the festivals celebrated in the region, visitors are
invited to eat and drink in order to enjoy even more the peculiarity
of these festivities.
Senda Viriato-GR 63:
Stages 16 and 17.
Talavera roads and trails, Sierra de San Vicente and La Jara: R-19.
Phone Numbers
City Hall: 925 874 701
C. Doctor: 925 874 776
Pharmacy: 925 874 758
C. Internet: 925 874 751
www.laiglesuela.es
Click picture to enlarge
