Discover Alar del Rey on the Canal de Castilla

Discover Alar del Rey through the Canal de Castilla and the history of its buildings. The canal’s kilometre zero is here; its water comes from the Pisuerga at La Veguilla. The Northern Branch also begins here, running for 207 kilometres to Ribas de Campos. Alar del Rey therefore connects a specific starting point with a much longer stretch of canal—a useful reference if you choose the town as a destination for a trip focused on cultural heritage.

Canal de Castilla: starting point and structures

The Northern Branch of the Canal de Castilla runs to the triple lock at Calahorra de Ribas and has 24 locks. The figures for its length and locks offer different perspectives: the 207 kilometres describe the route from Alar del Rey to Ribas de Campos, while the number of locks points to the canal’s engineering design. Near Alar del Rey, the first weir is known as Puente de la Coneja. There is also a basin of the Canal de Castilla at Alar.

The canal heritage also includes the former penal cells, known as mazmorras. Together with the basin and the locks, they reflect different aspects of the canal’s history: water management, infrastructure and historical use. This makes it possible to view the Canal not only as a long waterway, but also to understand it through specific structures and places.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen

The parish church of Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen was built in 1898. It followed a sharp increase in population associated with the start of construction work on the Ferrocarril de Isabel II railway and navigation on the Reales Canales de Castilla. The church is Neo-Romanesque; its later-built Modernist bell tower was designed by Jerónimo Arroyo.

The square tower rests on three arches with sculpted capitals. These form the entrance to the main doorway. The church thus brings together two distinct architectural styles: the Neo-Romanesque building and the later-added Modernist tower. For a trip focused on cultural history, the church offers not only architectural interest but also a connection to the town’s development in the late 19th century.

Murals in Plaza de la Barcaza

In August 2025, Plaza de la Barcaza was transformed into a large community-created mural. The murals form a walking route, with designs that tell the story of Alar del Rey’s identity. Alongside the older canal heritage and the church, they represent a more recent community-led transformation of the town. The date provides a specific point of reference for this part of your visit.

Towpath and Descenso del Pisuerga

For a shorter walk along the canal, the towpath on the right bank leads from Alar del Rey to the first lock in Barrio de San Vicente, two kilometres away. This is a different scale from the Descenso Internacional del Pisuerga: its 17-kilometre paddling route runs from Olleros de Pisuerga to Alar del Rey. Along the way, paddlers pass five weirs: Mave, Becerril, Nogales, La Fábrica de Campos and El Soto.

The Descenso Internacional del Pisuerga is a sporting and popular festival recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico Regional (Regional Tourist Interest Festival), held in the province of Palencia since 1965. While the towpath describes a named two-kilometre stretch along the canal, the Descenso follows a longer waterway and finishes in Alar del Rey. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event dates in advance.

Getting to Alar del Rey

Alar del Rey can be reached by train or road. The listed road connections include the N-611, the road from Santander and the P-610. If you plan to travel by train, check the current timetable before setting off. This lets you choose your mode of transport separately from deciding whether you are mainly interested in the Canal de Castilla, the church, the murals or the Descenso.

Discover more destinations: Villada, Husillos, Villarramiel, Ampudia, Villanueva De Arriba, Villalcázar De La Sirga, Aguilar De Campoo, Villodrigo.

For the broader travel overview: Palencia.