In it heart of Cantabria, Not far from the cold and wild waters of the Cantabrian Sea, there is one of the most impressive locations from the entire north of the Iberian Peninsula. Although it is not as touristy as the coastal villas from Comillas, Suances or Santander itself, his name is known in much of Spain for its hot springs, although in Viesgo Bridge There are countless more wonders to visit.
This municipality is located in the region of the Pasiegos Valleys, so in addition to enjoying some relaxing baths and contemplate a architectural heritage spectacular, you know that in Puente Viesgo the gastronomy is also going to be exquisite. Therefore, a small weekend getaway to this magnificent Cantabrian town is one of the best options to escape from the routine in these autumn weeks.
The impressive spa of Puente Viesgo
It is known that already in the 18th century The residents of Puente Viesgo enjoyed some thermal baths on the banks of the Pas River. More than 300 years later, those hot springs have become a spectacular spa in the Grand Hotel of Puente Viesgo, that receives hundreds of travelers in its magnificent rooms who want to relax in these medicinal waters that arise in the ‘Cantabrian Eocene Spot’.
Opened in 1843, guests visiting They immerse themselves in their pools and they bathe under its waterfalls they seek to notice improvement in their cardiovascular problems, respiratory, rheumatological and psychosomatic, as indicated on the hotel website. In addition, relaxing in them is a great way to gain strength to explore Puente Viesgo and its most striking enclaves, both in the urban center and outside it.
What to see in Puente Viesgo: from prehistory to today
The spa welcomes us to a town full of spectacular heritage. Very close to the hotel is the Church of Saint Michael, a temple whose original structure only preserves the tower and the 18th century chapel, although in the middle of the last century it was restored according to the Romanesque canons. After entering it, you have to make a stop at the beautiful Puente Viesgo town hall, an incredible building that is based on the mansions of the “mountain regionalist architecture”, as indicated on the town’s website.
But if you want to know the true essence of the architecture of Puente Viesgo, the best thing you can do is wander through its avenues, where you will find yourself stone houses with beautiful balconies that give the town a picturesque appearance. You can also enter the nature of the region of the Pasiegos Valleys through the Pas Greenway, a 34 kilometer circular route that runs along an old railway route.
The caves of Monte Castillo in Puente Viesgo
Although the town’s urban area is a spectacle, the true wonder of the municipality It is on a mountain on the outskirts, where you can find a World Heritage Site. The pretty one Mount Castle may not stand out for its height, but what hides inside It is of such a magnitude that UNESCO paid attention to it in 2008.
The caves that wind through the interior of the promontory have been inhabited by man since 150,000 years ago, as stated on the town’s website, and in them you can see a set of cave paintings of incalculable importance. Therefore, it is an essential stop if you make a getaway to Puente Viesgo.
Today you can visit two of them, that of El Castillo and that of La Moneda. In the first you will be able to see with your own eyes the impressive prehistoric art, while the second is a true paradise for caving lovers. Therefore, do not hesitate to enter them and admire the pristine vestiges of man’s presence in the world.
How to get to Puente Viesgo from Santander
Barely 35 kilometers separate the city ​​of Santander of this beautiful town. If you are in the Cantabrian capital, you just have to take the A-67 to Torrelavega, and there turn around A-8 exit (Cantabrian Highway/Highway). After the town of CarandÃa, before reaching Vargas, you have to take the national highway N-623, which will take you directly to Puente Viesgo. The journey it doesn’t reach half an hour duration.