Detached house in Zarzalejo

Zarzalejo: Location and surroundings of this property

Zarzalejo is a town located at an altitude of 1104 metres above sea level, nestled in a mountainous environment at the foot of two prominent granite formations: the Machota Alta, popularly known as the Pico del Fraile, with an altitude of 1464 metres, and the Machota Baja, which reaches 1404 metres. These mountains are part of the southern foothills of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The town is 58 kilometres from Madrid. Zarzalejo is divided into two urban centres: the old village, located in the upper part, and La Estación, located further down and traditionally known as Los Pajares. The old village, centred around the Plaza de la Constitución and the church, was originally selected by Felipe II as the site for the construction of the Monastery of El Escorial, due to its proximity to the stone quarries on the slopes of Las Machotas. La Estación, on the other hand, is a more modern area which has experienced considerable growth in recent years with the construction of numerous villas. Along the road that connects the two villages, a viewpoint has been built that offers panoramic views of the valley, previously occupied by orchards and now covered with meadows where ash and melojares grow. The municipality of Zarzalejo is part of the Historical Territory of ‘El Escorial: Monasterio, Sitio y Entorno Natural y Cultural’, which was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest by the Community of Madrid by decree 52/2006.