Bárcena Mayora picturesque town in Cantabria, stands out for its beauty and excellent state of conservation. Located in a valley next to the Argoza riverthe place has remained practically unchanged since it was declared Historical-Artistic Ensemble in 1979. With less than a hundred inhabitants, the town is an ideal for a rural getaway in the month of September according to National Geographicwhere visitors can enjoy a car-free environment, stroll through its cobblestone streets and admire the mountain architecture. The lovingly renovated houses feature ornate balconies and traditional arcades, and the Highland Baroque-style church offers additional appeal.
From the stone bridge in the center of town, visitors can access trails that lead to the Saja-Besaya Natural Parkthe largest beech forest in Cantabria. This park, with 24,000 hectares, is famous for its deciduous forests and its splendid autumn spectacle. In addition to nature, Bárcena Mayor is known for its gastronomy, especially mountain stew, a traditional dish that can be enjoyed at the La Solana restaurant. The area also offers viewpoints such as La Cardosa, ideal for observing the fauna and the changing landscape depending on the season of the year.
Bárcena Mayor, a trip to the heart of Cantabria
Bárcena Mayor, located in the valley of the Argoza River in the municipality of Los Tojos (Cantabria)is located 495 meters high and has 80 inhabitants. In the Middle Ages, the Cabuérniga valley, then known as Kaornega, was made up of small nuclei around monasteries that ruled over their lands.
In 1168, Alfonso VIII He gave the property of the church of Santa Águeda de Bárcena Mayor to the Cardeña monastery, and over time, the lands passed into the hands of great feudal lords, such as the Casa de la Vega. Bárcena Mayor depended on the dukes of Infantado until it formed its own City Council in the 19th century.
Places of interest
Located on the banks of the Argoza River, this enclave between hills presents traditional mountain architecture unchanged since the 17th century. Its two-story houses, with arcades that serve as storage on the ground floor and housing on the upper floor, are emblematic. Some arcades are protected by wooden gates, while others have ashlar arches, indicative of noble mansions. The Rectory Housewith its stone shield and sundial, is a key visit in the town.
The St. Mary’s Churchin the mountain baroque style and built in the 17th century, has five altarpieces, one of them baroque. In the square, the laundry and watering trough evoke the ethnographic past of the town, although they have lost their original use.
He bridge over the Argoza riverbuilt in the 19th century after a flood, offers spectacular views and is the starting point for hiking routes in the Saja-Besaya Natural Park, such as the GR-71 and PR-S 114, as well as the Route of the Puertos de Fuentes, which starts from PR-S 113.
Festivals and gastronomy
The parties in Bárcena Mayor are vibrant, highlighting the Festival of Our Lady of Carmen on July 16, with pilgrimages, fireworks, games and festivals, and the Festival of the Virgen del Moral, which attracts shepherds with their decorated livestock the weekend after July 15. August.
Its gastronomy, focused on game meat, includes deer, roe deer and wild boar sausages, toasts with pâté and croquettes. He mountain stewwith beans, chorizo, blood sausage, bacon and cabbage, is the star dish.
Santillana del Mar
Less than an hour by car from Bárcena Mayor, is Santillana del Mar, one of the most beautiful towns in northern Spain. Known as the “village of three lies” because it is neither holy, nor flat, nor does it have a sea, it offers a unique experience that combines history, culture and natural beauty.
The town for its narrow streets, its Plaza Mayor and for the combination of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. A highlight is the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, an impressive example of 12th-century Romanesque architecture, declared a National Monument in 1889. Likewise, the historic center of Santillana del Mar is full of palaces and stately homes that evoke bygone eras.
Don’t miss the Altamira National Museum and Research Centerwhich houses a replica of prehistoric caves and offers a fascinating insight into the lives of our ancestors. It is advisable to reserve in advance.
The fountains dotted around the historic center are a notable feature that helps beat the heat in summer. Furthermore, the Torture Museumwith an extensive collection of performance instruments from the time of the Inquisition, is one of the main tourist attractions of Santillana del Mar.
In short, Bárcena Mayor It is a town that stands out for its mountain architecture, virgin nature and rich gastronomic and festive tradition, ideal to visit in September.
