Palencia, romanesque art cultural route

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Cultural routes / Romanesque

Romanesque Art in Palencia

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Matalbaniega Church © Turespaña
Moarves de Ojeda Church © Turespaña
Pisón de Castejón Church © Turespaña
Relief of Christ Pantocrator in San Pedro Church, Moarves © Turespaña
Cloister in the Monastery of San Andrés del Arroyo © Turespaña

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Palencia, at the heart of the Romanesque.

This is a route to discover Palencia, particularly the Montaña Palentina mountain region. A mountainous area of unspoilt nature, it has the greatest concentration of Romanesque churches and shrines in Europe. On the route you will discover small villages, walk in green valleys and even ride in a boat on the river. It is a perfect trip for the family.

The route takes us from Frómista to Carrión de los Condes, two towns on the Way of Saint James as its passes through Palencia. Frómista has one of Spain’s best preserved and most valuable Romanesque buildings: San Martín Church. Following the course of Pisuerga River northward, we reach Alar del Rey. We can see it by boat, as the Castilla Canal passes through the north of the town.

The next destination is Ojeda Valley. Here we visit various jewels of the Romanesque: the monasteries of San Andrés del Arroyo (Santibáñez de Ecla) and Santa Eufemia (Cozuelos de Ojeda), the churches of San Pedro (Moarves de Ojeda) and San Pelayo (Perazancas) and Santa Cecilia shrine (Vallespinoso de Aguilar).

Taking the main road, we head for Aguilar de Campoo. On this section, we find another fine example of the Romanesque, the church of the town of Santa María de Mave. Aguilar del Campoo is a medieval town at the start of the Montaña Palentina region. The main attractions of the town are its castle, walls, the old Jewish Quarter, Santa María la Real Monastery, the churches of San Martín and La Asunción and the Palace of the Marquises of Aguilar.

The Montaña Palentina mountain region has almost 100 Romanesque churches and shrines. Outstanding among these are Santa María la Real (Cillamayor), San Cornelio and San Cipriano (Revilla de Santullán), Santa María la Real (Barruelo de Santullán), Santa María la Real (Brañosera), Santa Marina (Villanueva de la Torre), San Martín de Mudá, San Cornelio y San Cipriano (San Cebrián de Mudá) and San Salvador (San Salvador de Cantamuda).

The route continues to the town of Cervera de Pisuerga, located at the entrance to the Fuentes Carrionas y Fuente Cobre Nature Reserve. In this protected nature area we find the scenic Fuentes Tamáricas springs, mentioned by the Roman historian Pliny the Elder in the first century AD. This site, with a spring, a shrine, a meadow and a vegetable garden, is located near to Velilla de Río Carrión. Before leaving these mountains, we will visit the churches of La Transfiguración and La Asunción, in Castrejón de la Peña.
Next, we head south to find San Pelayo Mártir Church, in Arenillas de San Pelayo. Near to the end of the route, we come to the remains of two more Romanesque monasteries: those of Santa María (Renedo de la Vega) and San Salvador (Nogal de las Huertas).

Our route ends in Carrión de los Condes. This historic medieval town, known as being part of the Way of Saint James, has outstanding buildings like San Zoilo Monastery and the churches of Santiago and Santa María del Camino.

When to go on the route
The route can be taken all year round. Consequently, we can enjoy the different scenery and gastronomy of each season. However, the warmer months are more recommendable (from June to September).
The route can be completed in a weekend, and is recommended for families.

What to see on the route See more