Potes, Cantabria, is a not well known but spectacular tourist destination. It is located in the center of the district of Liébana, at the foot of the mountains of Sacred Rock y Pena Labra on the one hand and from the massif of the Picos de Europa for another. It is precisely in the latter that the Quiviesa river, which flows into the Deva at the height of the town.
But above all, Potes is a small stately villa cobbled and narrow streets reached from the coast through the spectacular Desfiladero de la Hermida. It has several monuments and, if all this were not enough, with an extraordinary and forceful cuisine. If you want to know Potes, in Cantabria, we encourage you to follow us on our journey.
What to see in Potes, Cantabria
The entire Liébana region has extraordinary natural beauty and magnificent monuments. Several of the latter are concentrated in Potes and, in its vicinity, also a good part of the former. Let's get to know all of this better.
Church of San Vicente
Declared Historic Artistic Monument, this beautiful church responds to various architectural styles. This is because it was built between the fourteenth and eighteenth centuries. For this reason, its forms evolved from Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque.
Outside, you will be struck by the bell tower, while, inside, you can see two naves divided into sections covered by ribbed vaults. A square main chapel separated from the previous ones by a triumphal arch and a sacristy complete the complex.
Church of San Vicente
The Torre del Infantado, symbol of Potes
This fortification built in the XNUMXth century by the Lama family, belonged to Tello of Castile, brother of King Henry II. But its current appearance is due to the reform commissioned by the Duke of Infantado in the XVI. That's why it will seem like a Italianate style castle very similar to others of the time.
Has been declared A Cultural and at present it is dedicated to exhibitions. As an anecdote, we will tell you that it also belonged to Íñigo López de Mendoza, the famous Marquis of Santillana, who is considered one of the great Spanish medieval poets.
Other monuments of Potes, Cantabria
The previous two are the most outstanding monuments of Potes. But there are others equally interesting. You can also visit the hermitages of La Virgin of Valmayor and the Virgin of the Way.
Also, near the Torre del Infantado you have other constructions in the shape of a castle such as those of Lama's Ear, Linares, calseco y Osorio. And don't stop looking at their old bridges like those of San Cayetano and the Prison. But also, all Potes is gorgeous. Walk the Solana neighborhood, with its cobbled streets and old houses to prove it.
What to see and do in the surroundings of Potes
It would be a sin to travel to Potes and not also know its surroundings. Because, if the Lebaniega town is beautiful, it is even more spectacular. natural frame. Not only that, there is also a good heritage of monuments near Potes, among which the imposing monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana.
Infantado Tower
Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana
You will find this Franciscan monastery in the municipality of Chameleno, within the Liébana region itself. Its foundation is attributed to a Palencia bishop named Toribio who lived in the XNUMXth century. However, it would be another Toribio, this one from IV, who would give it the name when his remains were transferred there.
However, its most famous inhabitant was the so-called Beatus of Liebana, who wrote his books in it and is considered one of the great intellectuals of his time, at the height of personalities such as Alcuino of York.
The most important building of the monastery is the church, which combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. One of its interior chapels, which is Baroque, houses the Lignum Crucis. This name is given to a relic of the cross where Jesus Christ was crucified. In addition, the Door of Forgiveness, which opens every jubilee year to receive pilgrims.
On the other hand, next to the monastery you can visit the Holy cave, a pre-Romanesque style building dating from the XNUMXth century and is currently quite deteriorated. It is believed that it was where the founder of the monastery retired to do penance.
Fuente Dé, the Cable viewpoint and the mountain routes
Another visit that we advise you to make in the vicinity of Potes is that of Source of. In this small town, you must take a funicular that offers you impressive views of the Picos de Europa and that reaches the Cable viewpoint. It crosses a drop of almost eight hundred meters and it barely takes four minutes to reach a height of 1847.
Fuente Dé Cable Car
Once up, you can also see a wonderful landscape. But, in addition, it is a magnificent access to the central massif of the Picos de Europa themselves, where you can do spectacular hiking trails. For example, the one that goes up to High of the Wheat, Áliva's way, With the Jedunda Canal or circuit around Peña Remoña.
What to eat in Potes
As we told you before, Potes also offers you a forceful and delicious gastronomy. The lebaniego stew, which is made with local chickpeas, collard greens, potatoes and the traditional compango pork (chorizo, blood sausage, bacon and ham). Finally, beef and stuffing are added, a bread crumb dough, chorizo, egg and parsley.
With this dish, you have more than enough for a good meal. But you can also try the trout or salmon of the river Deva and desserts like the so-called cheese from Liébana or Picón and Tresviso cheeses.
To lower such copious food, nothing better than the pomace local, so popular that it even has its own party. It takes place the second weekend of November and has been declared Regional Tourist Interest.
How to get to Potes, Cantabria
The only way you have to get to the Lebaniega town is by road. There are buses that run the route, but we advise you to go in your own car, at your own pace. If you are traveling from the north, you must leave the A-8 at the height of Unquera to take the N-621 that, as we told you, goes through the spectacular Desfiladero de la Hermida and it takes you directly to Potes.
Desfiladero de la Hermida
Instead, from the south you can travel the A-67. But the shortest route is the N-625 by León and to Riaño and then take the N-621 on the Castilian side.
In conclusion, Potes, in Cantabria, is a beautiful stately villa full of monuments and with dreamy surroundings. If to all this you add its delicious cuisine, you have all the elements to decide to get to know it. Don't feel like doing it?