The Alameda de Cervantes1 is a wonderful park in the middle of the town, and known by the locals as ‘La Dehesa’. It is apparently one of the oldest public gardens in Spain and covers c.10 hectares (c.25 acres). I always walk here when we visit Soria.
Entering the park
The first references to the park are in the 12th century when it was church land, donated to feed cattle. But it was only in the 16th century that it became public land for the use of the citizens.
The walks and gardens in the lower part of the park date from the 19th and 20th centuries, and although the imposing gate looks old it actually dates from 1958.
Trees in the Park
Long paved avenues, lined with various old trees, line the length of the park, providing shade in the summer. There are apparently more than 100 species of trees and shrubs in the park.
Views in the park
The Hermitage of the Soledad stands on the side of the park but I didn’t photograph on this occasion.
The roses were over, but this formal garden must be very attractive in the summer.
There is a wide, grassy meadow at the top end of the park where children can kick a football and their parents can just enjoy the sunshine. The picture below was taken on perhaps the only really warm evening while we were in Soria!
A horreos, enjoying the sunshine, and a view down the park towards the Castle hill
Paseo del Espolon
This nice walk is outside the park, from the roundabout with an illuminated fountain, down to the Plaza Mariano Granados at the beginning of the town.
The Alameda de Cervantes is a lovely park in the centre of Soria, spotlessly clean, neat, and clearly much appreciated by local people.
- Detailed information about the park: https://guiadesoria.es/soria-y-provincia/soria-ciudad/605-alameda-de-cervantes-la-dehesa.html ↩︎
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