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The Palencia Romanesque route is one of the most important secrets of the province of Palencia. This city is characterized by its natural, gastronomic, historical and cultural treasures. In this post you can know specifically its cultural and historical richness through this route. Which is considered one of the most outstanding architectural destinations in Castilla y León.
Characteristics of the Palencia Romanesque route
This route crosses the provincial capital. Also Frómista, Carrión de los Condes, Mave, Aguilar de Campoo or San Salvador de Cantamuda. For some tourists this route may be a totally different experience. Especially when compared to other tourist sites in Spain.
However, the Palestinian Romanesque route is an amazing and completely different experience. Despite its desolate villages and overwhelming silence, this route has the most important Romanesque monuments in Europe. The churches are designed with pure art and 13th century baptismal fonts can be seen.
They also stand out excavated in the mountains of Palencia that have managed to be preserved over time. Another spectacle that you can enjoy on this route occurs during the autumn season, when the deer are in rutting season and the rutting occurs.
In this route there are mountains that exceed 2,000 meters of altitude. Which enclose a wild nature. There are natural parks with a variety of fauna and flora. A unique experience in these mountains is to reach the viewpoints over the clouds. This is just what those who have visited this route love the most.
Tour of the Romanesque Route of Palencia
Next, you can know the route of the Romanesque route of Palencia. Discover the most amazing places of this route:
Palencia Cathedral
Since this is the route through the mountains of Palencia, the tour starts in Palencia. This is the capital of the province. One of the most outstanding sites of the city is the Holy Church Cathedral of San Antolin. Also known as the “beautiful unknown”. This church has different architectural styles such as Romanesque, Visigothic and Gothic.
The chapels of Nuestra Señora de la Blanca, Nuestra Señora de la Blanca, Inmaculada and San Sebastián stand out in this church. As well as other chapels, each one has a unique and incomparable look. Another obligatory stop is the cloister and the Chapter House, to which you can access on a guided tour of the Cathedral of San Antolin de Palencia.
Moarves de Ojeda
This is one of the most emblematic areas of the route. The church of Moarves de Ojeda is majestic and impressive. Moarves is a region that was repopulated by the Mozarabs in the tenth century. The Romanesque church of San Jaun Bautista stands out in this village. It was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1931.
The ground plan of the building is rectangular and has a square apse with a ribbed vault. The belfry is a vertical wall that also functions as a bell tower. This is the typical structure found in the north of Palencia. The frieze with the Apostles next to Christ stands out in this church.
Inside you can see the Romanesque baptismal font. If you wish to visit the interior, you only have to ask a neighbor to open the door. They will kindly allow you to take the tour to enjoy the architecture to the fullest.
Fuentes Carrionas and Fuente Cobre Natural Park
This is a natural park that you can not miss on the route through the Romanesque Palencia. It has peaks and ridges that can exceed 2,500 meters high. This allows the formation of impressive cliffs and deep valleys.
The two rivers that run through the park, the Carrión and the Pisuerga, also stand out. In the park you can also appreciate several lakes of glacial origin. You can also enjoy the exuberant vegetation formed by pine, holly, oak, and beech forests, etc.
From the park you can have the best view to observe the rutting. The deer live in freedom in this area. In case you can not see it, you can hear the bellowing, as it is quite loud. In addition to deer, you can find various animals such as eagle owls, gray dormice, capercaillies, brown bears, otters, golden eagles, etc.. Some of them are in danger of extinction.
Church of San Martín de Tours
This is one of the jewels of the Palencia Romanesque. It is located in Frómista, a beautiful village that you must visit when you make the route. In the village stands the Romanesque church of San Martín de Tours. This temple was built at the end of the 11th century. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
In this church you can find a basilical plant that is characterized by its restrained style. The 13th century Christ, the dome, the apses and the semicircular arches also stand out. Undoubtedly, it is typical Romanesque architecture.
Monastery of Santa María de Mave
It is a real treasure of the Romanesque route of Palencia. It is located in the northernmost area of Palencia. There you can enjoy the Monastery of Santa Maria de Mave. In the internal part it has a very peculiar oven vault. Which is representative of Romanesque architecture. Other barrel vaults can also be appreciated.
These are just some of the most relevant sites of the Palencia Romanesque route. Once you immerse yourself in this tour you will want to come back again and again. You are sure to include it in your favorite vacation destination.
