Chinchón - provincia de Madrid - M1 2026
Chinchón is a historic town in the Community of Madrid Its vernacular architecture is characterised by whitewashed houses with timber-framed balconies, narrow winding streets, and traditional Castilian buildings. Significant landmarks include the Plaza Mayor, a distinctive arcaded square, the Castle of the Counts of Chinchón, and the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, which houses a painting by Francisco de Goya. The surrounding countryside is devoted to olive groves, vineyards, cereal cultivation, and the production of garlic and anise. Chinchón stands out from similar historic towns because of its remarkably preserved medieval Plaza Mayor, which has served as a marketplace, bullring, and venue for festivals for centuries, giving the town a distinctive architectural and cultural identity
Chinchón was a beautiful surprise. The main square, with its distinctive wooden galleries running around the upper levels, was fascinating to observe and one of the most memorable examples of traditional Castilian architecture we encountered. The irregular shape of the plaza, the timber balconies, and the surrounding buildings created a wonderful sense of harmony and history. The best time to photograph Chinchón was early in the morning or late in the evening, when the light softened the colours of the old stone and timber, and the square was quieter. At those times, the town revealed its character most clearly — a place where everyday life and centuries of history still seem to exist together.
An aerial view of a cobblestone street in a European town with a white building, outdoor tables, umbrellas, greenery, and the roof of the building with vine-covered tiles.
A view of a historic town square with a stone-paved open space, surrounded by white buildings with tiled rooftops. The foreground shows a wall and a cobblestone street, while the background features a row of apartment balconies with green railings and older residential buildings on a hillside.
A view of a historic building with two floors, illuminated by outdoor lights, seen from under a stone archway supported by columns, with an empty square or open plaza in the foreground.
Old wooden door set into a stone and brick wall, casting a shadow on cobblestone street in daytime.
Old wooden double door with iron studs and a weathered, cracked stone wall surrounding it, set in an arched opening. The ground is uneven with stones and small plants growing between them.
View of a multi-story building with balconies and a tiled roof, seen from behind stone columns in an outdoor courtyard at dusk or early evening.