Maoño: Historic Houses and Church Art

Municipal walking routes and architectural and cultural heritage offer two distinct ways to explore Maoño. A municipal walk passes through Azoños and Maoño; houses, a church, and a chapel can be dated to different centuries. When planning a hotel stay, you can decide in advance whether landscapes or cultural history will be the main focus of your trip.

Walking Routes and Landscapes

The municipal route “Av. Juan de Herrera (junto al Molino) – Ermita de San Mateo” runs as a walk through Azoños and Maoño. The Azoños–Maoño route passes across a small plain that opens toward the Camargo Valley before reaching Maoño. Further along, the municipal route heads north toward the La Jaya neighborhood and San Mateo. Both the connection to the valley and the northbound direction are therefore specific features of the route. As route details may change, check the current route before setting out.

Historic Houses in Maoño

The Casona de los Molleda has a 17th-century ashlar stone portal. Another building is the Casa de los Portilla in the Rillo neighborhood: the house was built in the 18th century and stands on a small rise. From there, panoramic views of Maoño and the Church of San Vicente can be enjoyed; vegetation and weather may affect visibility. The two buildings allow for a specific comparison across time: the Casona’s portal dates to the 17th century, while the Casa de los Portilla dates to the 18th century. In this way, the history of the buildings can be seen through different centuries and types of architecture.

Church of San Vicente

At the Church of San Vicente, the first documentary mention must be distinguished from the possible earlier history of the place of worship. The first documentary mention dates to 1679. At the same time, the church is considered visible evidence of an ancient place of worship that may date back to the 12th century. The year 1679 therefore marks the first documentary reference; the connection to an older place of worship remains a possible historical interpretation. Inside the church is an altarpiece dating to 1730. Its central niche contains a seated depiction of the Virgen Reina from the 16th century. The work thus presents two different dates: one for the altarpiece and one for the depiction in its niche.

Chapel of San Mateo

A partially faded inscription is legible on the façade of the Chapel of San Mateo. It names Melchor de la Portilla as the administrator and gives the year 1693. The chapel also has a shell-shaped niche containing the saint. The municipal route connects it with pilgrims of earlier times on their way to Santiago. These are two distinct historical points of reference: the date and person named in the inscription, and the route’s connection to pilgrims. Together, they give the chapel a place in Maoño’s architectural and cultural landscape.

Peñas Negras and Alto de la Gigüela

In May 2018, the FNYH environmental foundation described an interpretive route from Maoño through the Peñas Negras Cantabrian holm oak forest to Alto de la Gigüela. The description lists holm oaks, strawberry trees, and blackthorns in Peñas Negras, which provide shelter for tawny owls, foxes, and squirrels. It also mentions information panels about fauna, flora, and geology along the trail. Since this information comes from a 2018 description, check whether the panels are still there before visiting. If you are planning to take part in a guided interpretive route, check current availability separately.

The 2018 description also mentioned a newly built viewpoint at Alto de la Gigüela at the time, with views of the Bay of Santander. Weather and vegetation may affect visibility. The route, the forest, and the viewpoint offer different focuses for the trip: the path through the holm oak forest, its plant and animal life, and the view described at the destination.

Discover more destinations: Soto De La Marina, Mompia, Sancibrían.

Return to the main travel overview: Santa Cruz De Bezana.