Altitude: 564 m
Population: 211
(2006.Source INE)
Natives: Sotillanos.
The name Sotillo stems from it location inside the woods (soto) near the Ribera del Guadyerbas with abundant vegetation. The surname “of the Doves” (de las palomas) came later, but in the mid-eighteenth century it already existed. "The Doves" derives from the Latin "Palumbres" meaning woodpigeon possibly related to the wildlife habitat in Sotillo.
"The Sotillo" was linked to another village called Párraces, which disappeared due to the poisoning of their water sources. This disappearance caused a population increase of Sotillo, but it disappeared with time. Both towns belonged to Navamorcuende from the s. XVI to the XVII. Its main economic activity was livestock.
At the end of the seventeenth century, the 14 December 1692, Sotillo
acquired the title of independent villa granted by Royal Charter, raising
the gallows and the pillory as a sign of its newly acquired capacity
to administer justice. The gallows was erected at a place called "Fountain
of the Vines," the pillory in the square. A fire destroyed the
latter, since it was made of wood.
Town situated on the banks of the River
Guadyerbas, west of the region of the Sierra de San Vicente.
The best way is to access it is the motorway NV, divert by the CM-5051
in the direction to Navamorcuende, and to take the diversion to Marrupe-Sotillo
de las Palomas by the CM-5100.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH (*): From the sixteenth century. Renaissance style. A single nave with presbytery separated by a half-point triumphal arch supported by Doric semi columns attached to the wall. Built in stone, using the seating in the belfry that houses the bells. In the apse there is a beautiful Baroque altarpiece of poly-chromed wood. In the outside it exhibits in the back the carved shield of the Davila, reflecting the membership to the manor of Navamorcuende on the dates of construction of the building.
(*) Monument included in the inventory of regional heritage
of the Province of Toledo.
GRINDING MILLS: There were 5 mills along the river Guadyerbas. The last, very close to town, even came to grind with an engine steam.
TOWER: On the way to Buenaventura there are the remains
of a watchtower of Muslim origin, aimed at the protection and surveillance
at the time of its construction.
It is believed to have been built, along with others in the Sierra de
San Vicente, by Abd al-Rahman III in the year 937 as a way to stabilize
the defense system on the border after the attacks of the Kings of Leon
and the counts Castilla and restore the power of the emirs of Córdoba.
(Julio Garcia Hernandez).
In the 50s, it came to exceed the figure of 650 inhabitants, while
between the 80s and the 90s it suffered a drastic drop which placed
the population under 200 people. It is now slowly recovering.
January 20: Feast of San Sebastian.
July 25: Feast of St. James the Apostle.
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 3 and 4.
Talavera roads and trails, Sierra de San Vicente and La Jara: R17.
Phone Numbers
City Hall: 925 875 801
Pharmacy: 925 875 869
C. Internet::
(summer) T and Th 10-13:30
(winter) T and Th 17-20:30
sotillodelaspalomas.iespana.es
Click picture to enlarge
