Mercadillo: Routes and Historic Ironworking

For a stay in Mercadillo, routes and local history are two concrete focal points to choose from. If you are looking for a hotel, you can consider whether you would rather plan your trip around a route or historic buildings. In the town of Sopuerta, the ENK13 route connects the centre of Mercadillo with the district of El Castaño and runs partly along the Vía Verde Montes de Hierro. The Vía Verde is one section of the route, not the name of the entire connection between the town centre and El Castaño.

Routes and Trails

The ENK14 crosses the Kolitza River and passes through La Sota. From Las Ribas, it can be extended to El Arenao via a connection with the ENK15 and ENK17. Unlike the local connection provided by the ENK13, the ENK14 has the river crossing, La Sota and the possible extension as specific landmarks. You can include the connection from Las Ribas to El Arenao via the ENK15 and ENK17 as a separate option in your route planning.

Bridge and Hydropower

Puente de Llantada has a roadway just over two metres wide, paved with river cobbles. Its width and surface give a clear idea of its construction; the bridge’s history adds a connection to local ironworking. The bridge was built around the 15th century to serve the adjacent ironworks in the district of Mercadillo.

A short section of the channel, the forebay and the large water tunnel have survived from the hydraulic infrastructure of the Ferrería-molino de Llantada. These features show the water-engineering aspect of the site and complement the description of the bridge with another facet of local industrial history.

Historical Context

The Ferrería-molino de Llantada was probably built in the late 15th century. It was established in Mercadillo, very close to the Church of Santa María. Puente de Llantada was last rebuilt in 1871; this date refers to its last reconstruction, not to the bridge’s construction, which is dated to around the 15th century. Santa María de Mercadillo underwent structural alterations in the 18th century. The dates therefore refer to different events: the presumed construction of the Ferrería-molino, the construction and later reconstruction of the bridge, and structural alterations to the church.

Find a Hotel in Mercadillo

If you are interested in routes, you can distinguish the ENK13 and ENK14 by their different trail features. For local history, Puente de Llantada, the Ferrería-molino and Santa María each offer a point of interest: the bridge, with its roadway and historic function; the Ferrería-molino, with its surviving hydraulic infrastructure; and the church, with its structural alterations. This way, you can choose your destination based on the aspects you would like to focus on during your stay.

For the broader travel overview: Sopuerta.