Valdemeca, Huerta del Marquesado and Cañete are towns in the Cuenca mountains that have had one thing in common for some time, which goes beyond sharing a splendid natural environment. Since 2016, there have been 40 traditional scenes painted on trimmed steel, works of Luis Zafrilla (Valdemeca, 1956), dotted around different spots in these towns; following the trail of these works across the three towns becomes a game where we discover, almost accidentally, and understand what life was like in these local mountain villages, in a national heritage area with unique landscape.

The works pay homage to the rural culture of these lands and recreate works, games, traditions and customs, some of which no longer exist. El Tieso, Arrancacepas, La Péndola, La Estornija, Trabajasapos or Estiragarrote, Las Lavanderas, El Molinero, Albentando, Rulando Yeso… are just some of the names. Life-size and extremely realistic, they are magically inserted into the environment; they look real from afar. Although static, they appear to move.

Between Huerta del Marquesado and Valdemeca, we find the Marquesado Lagoon Nature Reserve, a spot of great natural beauty that we recommend for taking a rest and recharging the batteries. The wetland’s weather conditions have given rise to stunning vegetation, more commonly found in Euro-Siberian regions.

The suggested itinerary is Cañete-Huerta del Marquesado-Laguna del Marquesado-Valdemeca.