Discover Suesa: Ría de Cubas and cultural heritage

Suesa lies at the final stretch of the Ría de Cubas, at the mouth of the Miera River. The estuary is an area of high ecological importance in Ribamontán al Mar; its well-preserved mosaic of marine and terrestrial habitats is part of the Natura 2000 network. When planning your trip, you can take in the waterscape of the estuary alongside architectural heritage that includes churches, a monastery and manor houses. There are also routes with different connections to Suesa.

Ría de Cubas and birdwatching

Grey herons and swans can be spotted in the sandy areas and reed beds of the Ría de Cubas near Suesa. Sightings are seasonal and variable. So if you plan to observe nature, treat it as a possible part of your stay rather than a fixed, scheduled event. The well-preserved habitat mosaic provides a concrete setting for nature experiences that goes beyond individual bird sightings.

Churches, monastery and historic buildings

The present-day Church of Santa Eulalia dates from the late 16th century. It has a single-nave layout, a transept and a polygonal apse. The main altarpiece is the work of Juan Tolnado Herrera from the mid-17th century and features reliefs as well as some original carvings. Its construction history thus spans from the church, built in the late 16th century, to the main altarpiece, created in the mid-17th century.

The Trinitarian monastery of Suesa was inaugurated on 19 April 1887. Its church contains a mid-17th-century altarpiece as well as a collection of Baroque paintings and sculptures. The manor house of the Cubas family bears the Cubas family coat of arms. On the north wall of the Presmanes family manor house is a Baroque sundial, considered one of the most richly decorated in Cantabria. The churches, monastery and manor houses each add a different dimension to the area’s cultural heritage.

A small chapel was part of the former San Lázaro Hospital of Teas. The hospital served as a leprosarium and pilgrims’ hostel on the Way of St James. Food production is also part of Suesa’s history: a dairy produced fresh and cream cheese and collected milk from the surrounding area for other dairy companies. Thus, alongside religious and civic buildings, the area’s history also includes an economic dimension.

Routes and activities on the water

The Entremieses Route passes through the rural settlements of Loredo, Suesa and Castanedo; its starting point is in the Barrio Mojante district of Suesa. The El Ribero y Praderías Route also passes through Suesa, where you can visit the Trinitarian monastery. The first route passes through several rural settlements, while the second offers the monastery as a place to visit. Check the current route before setting out.

Canoeing and SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) are possible on the Ría de Cubas near Suesa. For SUP, tides and operational arrangements affect practical use; conditions and providers for canoe trips may vary. Checking the specific arrangements before planning will help you assess these activities realistically.

Discover more destinations: Loredo, Galizano, Somo

Return to the overview of destinations: Castanedo.