Today it is a quiet village of less than 100 inhabitants in the north of Madrid, but more than two centuries ago it was the scene of a military conflict during the War of Independence. We are talking about Somosierra, a town of great heritage value and whose history is linked to Napoleon’s passage through Spain in 1808.
Next Sunday, November 30, coinciding with the anniversary of the Battle of Somosierra, the traditional historical reenactment will be held. Dressed in uniforms, the actors will represent the confrontation between the Spanish troops and the great Napoleonic army that had at that time the support of the Polish cavalry.
The show will begin at 2:00 p.m. and will be preceded by a mass for the fallen and a commemorative act. In addition, after the battle, a gastronomic meeting will be held where neighbors and visitors can enjoy typical products of the area and reinforce the identity of the municipality.
Victory at a very high price
Although Napoleon was the winner of the battle, it meant a high cost in human lives for his troops. The passage through Somosierra was the most direct way to reach Madrid and the Spaniards, under the command of General Benito San Juan, took charge of fortifying the Somosierra mountain with artillery and strategic positions.
The Napoleonic army was faced with a practically impossible advance and ordered the Polish troops to open a gap between the Spanish ranks. This maneuver, almost suicidal, had an effect and allowed them to obtain the victory, but the number of dead was very high.
Currently, both the historical recreation and the Somosierra Chapel pay homage to the battle and to those who participated in it. In the chapel you can find allegorical stained glass windows with the armies and a tribute to the fallen. Also on the outside are the flags of Spain and Poland with wreaths of flowers and laurels.
An enclave that will be an Asset of Cultural Interest.
Beyond the commemorative spectacle, the town of Somosierra is closely linked to this combat through its streets and architecture. It still preserves the remains of the stone bridge over the Duratón River, the fort erected by order of Napoleon and the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de la Soledad built in 1654.
On November 24, the Community of Madrid announced that it had begun the process to declare the enclave where the battle of Somosierra took place in 1808 as an Asset of Cultural Interest, placing it in the category of Historic Site.
This recognition will protect the aforementioned historical remains and promote family tourism in the Sierra Norte de Madrid. Thus, the historic battle will not only return this November 30 for its anniversary, but will remain present throughout the municipality.