Abanillas: Village Church, Holm Oaks and Historic Routes
Accommodation in Abanillas
When looking for a hotel, it’s not just the name of the place that matters, but also what interests you on your trip. Abanillas offers specific points of interest in its architecture, landscape and historic routes: the Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, holm oak stands southeast of the village centre, and routes connecting the village with the history of the Maquis or older pilgrimage paths.
Landscape around Abanillas
Abanillas is one of the villages in Val de San Vicente that lies in the shadow of the imposing Cantabrian Mountains. Extensive holm oak stands stretch southeast of the village centre. The descriptions cover different scales: a clearly located natural area in the village and the broader mountain backdrop.
The landscape along the Camino del Maquis includes views of the green meadows of the Nansa Valley, the limestone peak of Naranjo de Bulnes and the snow-capped peaks of the Picos de Europa. This is a different perspective from the holm oaks southeast of the village centre: the woods are specifically located in the village, while the views mentioned are in the area around the route.
Church and festival culture
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Abanillas is part of Val de San Vicente’s religious architectural heritage. Its apse dates from the 17th century. As an architectural feature, the apse provides a specific point of interest if you’re exploring the church’s architectural history.
An account from 2014 mentions a sung solemn Mass and a procession with Picayos as part of the celebrations for Nuestra Señora. A report from 2010 describes DĂa de lo autĂłctono as a traditional festival in Abanillas and mentions a tasting of Cocidu Cabreau prepared by residents as one of its features. The dates place these insights into the festival culture in their historical context.
Routes with different focuses
The Camino del Maquis is a circular route through the villages in the inland part of Val de San Vicente. One section runs from Portillo to Abanillas along a rural track. The route information published in 2010 was designed for walking and cycling. If you’re planning a trip, check current trail conditions in advance.
The Ruta Serdio-Polaciones has a different focus: it leads from Serdio to Abanillas and connects the two villages through the story of Ana R. Cañil’s “La mujer del maquis.” Unlike the Camino, described as a circular route through inland villages, this route centres on a literary connection between two places.
The VĂa de Agrippa should be understood as a historic route. It ran from Abanillas via Luey along the coast and onwards to Asturias. It may have been used in the Middle Ages as a coastal route by pilgrims travelling to Santiago de Compostela or returning from there. The three routes therefore differ in form and theme: the Camino is a circular route with a rural trail section, the Ruta Serdio-Polaciones has a literary connection, and the VĂa de Agrippa may have had an earlier role as a pilgrimage route.
Getting there and choosing where to stay
The CA-843 road runs south of the village centre; check its conditions locally. Abanillas has no regular public transport services. As services can change, check the current situation before your trip. The road and public transport are two separate considerations: being close to a road does not mean there is a regular service.
Discover more destinations: Unquera, Estrada, Pechón, San Vicente De La Barquera, Serdio, Pesués, Prellezo
Back to the main travel overview: Val De San Vicente.
