Malleza brings together the history of emigration to Cuba, distinctive buildings and a walking trail that starts and ends in the village. You can discover architecture, views of the surrounding countryside and local cuisine as different facets of the destination. For planning, the SL AS-23 route and its approximate duration provide a practical guide.
Indian Architecture and Traces of Emigration
Malleza is known for its many Indian-style buildings, which are closely connected with emigration to Cuba. Some call the village “Little Havana”. Palm trees have special significance in this architecture: they are considered a symbol of Indian houses and a hallmark of successful returnees, who surrounded themselves with exotic gardens after emigrating.
Casa de Las Palmeras is on the Indian architecture route. The house combines late Art Nouveau with the vernacular details characteristic of traditional Asturian manor houses. Another architectural feature is the Iglesia de San Juan Bautista: the temple dates from the 18th century, is considered an Indian architectural gem and stands out for its distinctive green bell tower.
Traditional hórreos and paneras also form part of the village landscape, and Malleza has a notable number of them. These granaries add another dimension to the local architecture alongside the striking houses. Those interested in architectural variety will find more than a single style or period: the buildings tell stories about different parts of the village’s history.
The SL AS-23: Explore Malleza on Foot
The local SL AS-23 walking trail, “Paseo por Malleza”, starts and ends in Malleza. Its route passes through La Granja before returning to the starting point. The starting point is Plaza del Conde de Casares. The church, with its distinctive green dome, serves as a landmark there. The estimated duration of the route is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
The first suggested section of the route offers views of several examples of Indian architecture, including Las Palmeras. Los Rubieros is also home to an ethnographic collection that can be visited. Along the way, both architectural history and a local collection are possible subjects to explore.
A second suggested route passes through an extensive green area with chestnut, oak, hazel and birch trees. Here, the focus is on the wooded landscape rather than the houses in the village. The two descriptions therefore emphasize different things: one section draws attention to architecture, while the other highlights the tree species and greenery of the surroundings.
In La Granja is the Palacio del Conde de Toreno, which can be visited. Check current visiting arrangements before you go. Malleza is connected to Salas by the local road SL-12 and the regional road AS-225; no specific distances or journey times are provided.
Local Cuisine
The cuisine offers another way to experience Malleza. The Al Son del Indiano restaurant opened to the public in 1895. Updated takes on classic dishes include liquid nettle croquettes and beef cachopo with hummus and tomato. As menus can change, it is a good idea to check the current selection before your visit.
Whether you are mainly interested in the houses, the walking trail or the cuisine, Malleza offers specific points of interest to help guide your choice of accommodation for your trip.
Discover more destinations: Santiago De La Barca, Cornellana, La Granja, Salas.
Go to the main travel overview: Salas.
