Published: 24.10.2024
=> Photos from September 2024
Torija is a town and municipality in the central-western part of the province of Guadalajara, in Castilla-La Mancha (Spain, Europe). It is part of the comarca of Alcarria (of Guadalajara) and the subcomarca of Alcarria Alta. It belongs to the judicial district of Guadalajara, the judicial district No. 1 of the province of Guadalajara, and is also part of the Commonwealth of Municipalities of Alcarria Alta.
It has a population of 1,725 inhabitants (INE data 2023) and an area of 35.28 km².
When travelers arrive in Torija, they are dazzled by the beautiful architectural ensemble that the town boasts. In the heart of the village stands the proud Medieval Castle of Torija, built in the 12th century by the distinguished Order of the Templars. Nowadays, within the castle, there is also the popular Tourist Interpretation Center of the Province of Guadalajara (or CITUG), which can only be visited by prior appointment made online. In front of the castle lies the lovely Plaza de la Villa, the nerve center and meeting place for the residents of Torija, where, among other monuments, the Town Hall is located. A little further into the historic center is the beautiful parish church dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, built in the 16th century in late Gothic, pre-Renaissance, and Plateresque styles. Other points of interest in the village of Torija include: the Hermitage of the Virgin of Amparo, patron saint of Torija (built in the 18th century), the Justice Pillory on the main road, the Plaza de Armas of the Castle, the Bullring of Torija, the Flour Factory of Torija, the popular Plaza de Castilla, several springs with crystal clear and pure water, and its traditional popular architecture, among others.
Today, in the 21st century and with its close proximity to both Guadalajara and Madrid, Torija has become a genuine industrial, business, and logistics hub in all of Castilla-La Mancha. It is important to highlight the Industrial Park la Canteruela (or Industrial Park of Torija) and, especially, the modern, giant, and avant-garde Gran Europa Logistics Park in Torija, which houses the headquarters of well-known companies such as Primark, HM, Bridgestone, etc. These two industrial areas in Torija have been made possible thanks to their relative closeness to both Guadalajara and Madrid via the Northeast Highway or A-2, which runs through the municipality of Torija almost touching the urban center.
As you can see, Torija is a hidden gem in Guadalajara that combines history, culture, heritage, and industrialization. Come to Torija!