Mayor of Barcena: Un Viaje en el Tiempo en el Corazón de Cantabria

1. Discover the history of Montaña
2. Paseo por las calles pedraradadas y el sonido del rio Argoza
3. La Iglesia de Santa Maria
4. La gastronomía montanesa

Located in the heart of the Saja-Besaya Natural Park, Bárcena Mayor stands out as one of the oldest and most representative farms in Cantabria and Spain. Known for its traditional architecture and warm atmosphere, this diminuto poblado encourages tourists to step back in time and discover its cobbled paths and storied scenes. Its national importance and virtually intact preservation have earned it Conjunto Histórico-Artístico status in 1979, given its rich history and beauty.

Discover the history of Montaña

The Mayor of Bárcena, emmarcado por sierras y selvas, mantiene la esencia de un genuino pueblo de Montaña. Their creatures, silleria buildings, traditional arquitectura cantabria exhibiben la arquitectura cantabria color rojo y muros de mampostería. Located in the center of the neighborhood and designed to withstand the mountain climate, these buildings create a fascinating image that attracts any tourist. Terraces of sunny houses filled with brightly colored geraniums and porches where firewood is stored show the simplicity and care with which the original style of the community has been preserved over the years.

Its recognition as a Conjunto Histórico-Artístico, granted in 1979, helped preserve the identity of the Barcena Mayor, preventing its image from being altered by modernity. On the map, Bárcena Mayor only looks like a small rectangle of houses, but in its small size it preserves centuries of history and beauty that resists the passage of time.

Paseo por las calles pedraradadas y el sonido del rio Argoza

Visit Barcena Mayor and immerse yourself in the tranquility of its cobbled streets and the quiet murmur of the Argos river that runs through the city. The river accompanies tourists as they explore every corner, creating tranquility and connection with nature. Durante el recorrido, it is possible to see local artisans working with wicker and wood, which brings a real nuance and reminds us that many customs of the past are still preserved in this site.

Uno de los aspectos más llamativos is the lavadero, which comes from an earlier era and reminds us of the daily life of previous generations. Los vecinos still use el lavadero en ciertos momentos, y su presencia aporta un toque de melancolía a la visita. It is an emblem of the modest and traditional life of the Mayor of Barcena, where the inhabitants are completely attuned to their natural and cultural environment.

La Iglesia de Santa Maria

Among the buildings of the Mayor of Barcena, the church of Santa Maria attracts attention, a construction that looks simple on the outside, but hides a jewel in its interior: a baroque retablo of extraordinary beauty. With its well-preserved architecture, the church invites visitors to reflect for a moment. Its diminutive size and downtown location make it the perfect place to appreciate both the dedication of residents and their commitment to heritage preservation. El retablo, characterized by its gold ornaments and baroque decorations, stands out as an emblem of the valuable cultural heritage of the Mayor of Bárcena, contrasting with the sobriety of the rest of the area.

La gastronomía montanesa

In addition to its architecture and natural landscape, Bárcena Mayor is famous for its cuisine and attracts many tourists who are interested in tasting the traditional dishes of this region. El cocido montañés is the protagonist on all the tables of local gastronomic establishments. Made with alubias, berza, chorizo, morcilla and tocino, this platillo impultante is perfect for the mountain climate and represents the essence of Cantabrian gastronomy: simple, nutritious and delicious. Otros platillos tradicionales, como la carne de caza y los quesos hechos mano, the full el menu and los commensales offer an authentic and unforgettable gastronomic experience.