Castrillo de Duero sits in the Botijas valley on a moor dominated by the Cuchillejo peak, the highest peak in the province of Valladolid at 932 metres.

Its parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción dates back to the 12th century. Of Baroque construction and located at the highest point of the town centre, it has barrel vaults with lunettes and plasterwork, and an eminently Romanesque chevet. The transept stands out with a dome and lantern, which is shown on the outside with a spire. Inside, several small altarpieces and some frescoes on the main altar add a touch of colour.

Also worth a visit are its Roman bridge, its archaeological site and several unique fountains. Castrillo de Duero also has several emblazoned houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, which speaks of a noble and prosperous past.

It was in this riverside town, the most easterly in the province of Valladolid, that Juan Martín Díez “El Empecinado” was born in 1775. This nickname(empecinados) was given to the natives of this village, due to the fish or mud that abounded in the stream that ran through it, called Botijos. The Town Hall square is presided over by a sculpture of this guerrilla fighter who reached the highest military rank fighting against the French invaders in the War of Independence (1808), finally dying in Roa after politically confronting Ferdinand VII. His wedding to Catalina de la Fuente (a neighbour of Fuentecén) is a dramatised event performed by the locals of this fantastic riverside enclave. The Interpretation Centre of “El Empecinado” can be visited at weekends.

The two most important festivals in Castrillo de Duero are:

• Those of the patron saint, Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, on 8 September.
• The popularly known as“La Socorrilla“, which is held during the second weekend in May.

Locals of Castrillo de Duero: castrilleros.