La Canal: Monastic Architecture, Art and Cultural Heritage
Accommodation in La Canal
La Canal brings together monastic history, sacred architecture and local cultural heritage. Topics include the monastery’s architecture, religious art, a walking route through the municipality of Villafufre, the bowling alley and a restaurant that combines food, art and music. You can plan your trip according to whether you are particularly interested in architectural history, art, a broader view of the municipality or regional cuisine.
Monastic Architecture and Religious Art
The Monasterio de La Canal was designated a Bien de Interés Local on 24 April 2003. The Monasterio Concepcionista de La Canal has a two-storey cloister with twenty Herrerian arches. Two-storey means that the cloister has two levels; the number of arches provides another specific detail of its design.
The façade and portal of the Convento de La Canal date from the second half of the 17th century, while the Iglesia Franciscana de La Canal is part of an 18th-century religious complex. These details therefore refer to different historical periods: two parts of the convent and the larger complex to which the church belongs.
The Monasterio de La Canal was founded by Domingo Herrera de la Concha y Miera. He provided a plot of land from his estate for this purpose and held the patronage. The Iglesia Franciscana de La Canal also contains two funerary sculptures of the monastery’s founders. They are works by the Cantabrian sculptor Gabriel de Rubalcava.
A Walking Route on a Municipal Scale
La Canal is included in the walking route “Por los pueblos y barrios de Villafufre” (Through the Villages and Neighbourhoods of Villafufre). The route follows the road through the villages and neighbourhoods of the municipality of Villafufre and takes in chapels, churches, towers and manor houses. The route thus goes beyond individual buildings and offers a view of different places and building types within the municipality.
This offers a different perspective from a closer look at the monastery complex: the walking route places several settlements and different architectural styles in context. If you are planning your trip around culture and architecture, you can therefore choose between a specific focus on the monastery and a broader view of Villafufre.
Bowling Alley and Occasional Use
The Bolera de La Canal is listed as tangible cultural heritage and is currently used occasionally. If you would like to plan around an activity at the bowling alley, check in advance whether one is taking place on your visit date.
There is also a stop called La Canal in Villafufre. If you would like to include this stop in your journey, check the current timetable and plan your connection around the relevant departure times.
La Dama Boba Restaurant
La Dama Boba is a restaurant in La Canal de Villafufre. It is located in a restored 18th-century Montañés manor house and brings together food, art and music. The restaurant makes its own bread and reinterprets traditional flavours through contemporary recipes. This culinary perspective adds a distinct food focus to La Canal’s architectural and artistic themes.
The menu may change. Check whether the restaurant is open before visiting.
Discover more destinations: Argüébanes, Quijano, Somaniezo, Villanueva, Abaño, Esles, Luriezo, Sel de la Carrera.
For the regional travel overview: Cantabria.
