Gibaja offers two different ways to experience a stay: the Senda de los Pescadores passes through part of the village, while the church, bowling alley and bridge offer distinct starting points for exploring architectural and cultural history. You can choose to focus on the riverside landscape, architecture or the traditional game of Pasabolo Tablón.
Walking along the Río Asón
The Senda de los Pescadores runs entirely through the Río Asón Special Area of Conservation (ZEC), passes through part of Gibaja and reaches Fishermen’s Refuge No. 6 on the Río Asón. This old fishing trail follows the river. Alder, willow and ash trees shade the path; it also offers opportunities to observe birds found in river ecosystems. The route is approximately three kilometres long, with only slight changes in elevation. The course of the river, its riverside vegetation and opportunities for birdwatching give the route its distinctive connection to nature.
Church and architectural history
The earliest records of the Church of San Emeterio and San Celedonio date back to around the 12th century. Built from limestone and sandstone, the church underwent extensive alterations over the centuries following collapses and repeated rebuilding. Its single-nave interior comprises three bays, spanned by a ribbed vault whose five keystones join the ribs. A prismatic tower stands at the foot of the church. A bay is a section of the nave: the three bays divide the space, while the vault spans it. The church can thus be explored both through its architectural history and the layout of its interior.
Pasabolo Tablón at Bolera La Concha
Bolera La Concha offers another way to experience local culture. It is a Pasabolo Tablón bowling alley on Barrio la Quintana road, next to Gibaja’s football pitch. The playing field is approximately 55 metres long and 20 metres wide. It is divided into a throwing area, a board area and an area with throwing lines. In Pasabolo Tablón, a ball is thrown at three pins standing on a board; the aim is to propel the pins as far as possible across a grassy field. The measurements and the game complement each other: the dimensions describe the facility, while the rules explain the throw. The bowling alley is open to the public year-round; check before your visit whether this access is still available.
Historic routes and Puente de Gibaja
Until 1499, an important route between the interior, or the Castilian plateau, and the Cantabrian seaports passed through Gibaja. Another point of interest is Puente de Gibaja: it is associated with the historic road from Laredo to Burgos and was converted into a stone bridge in the second half of the 16th century. The different dates put these topics in context: the route passed through Gibaja until 1499, while the bridge’s conversion took place in the latter half of the 16th century.
Discover more destinations: San Vicente de la Barquera, Abionzo, Revelillas, La Lastra, Laredo, Las Ilces, Saro, Mazandrero
For the broader travel overview: Cantabria.
