Mentera-Barruelo offers two distinct perspectives for a trip of discovery: historic buildings in Mentera and Barruelo, and a viewpoint and route that pass through different types of forest in succession. When choosing your destination, you can weigh up whether you would prefer to focus on architectural history or on the landscape.
Churches and history
In Mentera stands the Iglesia de San Esteban. Its rib-vaulted presbytery dates from the 16th century; the main altarpiece is pre-Churrigueresque and was created in the early 18th century. This brings together two clearly distinct historical periods in the same church. In the presbytery, the focus is on the layout of the space; in the main altarpiece, on its stylistic classification. These different features offer various ways to explore the church from an art-historical perspective.
The Iglesia de San Pedro in Barruelo dates from the 17th century. Compared with the two dates associated with San Esteban, this creates a chronological arc from the 16th through the 17th to the early 18th century. This makes it possible to consider the churches in terms of their different historical periods, rather than simply listing them side by side.
Other buildings in Mentera and Barruelo
The cemetery in Mentera dates from 1884 and has a historicist entrance portal. Here, a specific year and an architectural feature come together: the portal marks the entrance and draws attention to the building’s design. The date places the cemetery in the 19th century and adds a later chapter in architectural history to the churches’ earlier historical periods.
The Casa de Fernando Ventura Antonio de Arredondo y RĂoseco in Barruelo was also built in the mid-18th century. The house adds another architectural theme to the churches and cemetery. Its date falls in the same century as the main altarpiece at San Esteban, but marks the middle rather than the beginning of that century.
Open views and changing forests
The Mirador de las 14 Canales is in the highest part of Mentera-Barruelo, in the area known as La Alcomba. From there, you can enjoy a panorama across much of the Valle del AsĂłn. The viewpoint offers a different focus from the individual buildings: instead of looking at architectural details, you can take in the valley. If you are especially interested in landscape views, this spot is a clear contrast to the historical and cultural attractions.
A route near Mentera-Barruelo passes in succession through a pine forest, a beech forest and a Cantabrian holm oak forest. The focus here is on the sequence of forest types. This makes the route a different kind of landscape experience from the panorama at the Mirador: there, the view opens out across the valley, while along the route you encounter different types of forest in succession. Conditions on the route may vary; check them before setting out.
Getting there by road
The CA-658 branches off the CA-261 between Ramales and Arredondo and heads towards Alcomba and Mentera-Barruelo. This road connection provides a guide for your journey. As road conditions can change, check them before travelling.
For the broader travel overview: Ruesga.
