Bárcena De Cicero: Marshes, Culture and Holiday Apartments

Part of the protected Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel wetland lies within the municipality of Bárcena De Cicero, between the Rías de Ano and de Treto. When comparing holiday apartments in Bárcena De Cicero, pay attention to the travel period, room category and cancellation conditions on each offer page. These three details provide a clear framework for comparison before you choose accommodation.

Nature

The marshes combine brackish water and rainwater across shallow waterbeds and provide space for diverse plant and animal life. During the period of greatest concentration at the end of December and beginning of January, between 10,000 and 20,000 birds from 50 different species were counted. On the road between Cicero and Santoña, numerous dead trees with trunks protruding from the water shape the Marisma de la Saca; within the reserve, it serves as the most important roosting site for several dozen little egrets. At low tide, the Playón de Cicero is the largest area of the river mouth to fall dry, with intensive shellfish-gathering activity, particularly for fine clams and rough razor clams. Water, birdlife and tides thus provide three clearly distinguishable nature themes for your own planning.

Culture

The Church of Santa María de Bárcena de Cicero was begun in the second half of the 17th century, has three naves with rib vaults and houses a Churrigueresque altarpiece dating from around 1710. The Church of San Pelayo in Cicero is a 17th-century building with a cruciform plan and rib vaulting; it houses an altarpiece dated 1633 by Rodrigo de Los Corrales.

The Puente de Treto is a metal bridge built in 1901 by the Eiffel company over the Ría de Treto between Adal and Colindres; it connects the two places across the estuary. In the upper part of Adal, in the Barrio de la Maza, the Palacio y Capilla de Alvarado is a protected Baroque ensemble from the second half of the 18th century.

The Palacio de la Colina in Gama is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. It is an 18th-century Baroque palace whose construction was commissioned in 1759 by Don Juan Antonio de la Colina y Rasines. The Palacio y Capilla de Rugama in the Gama district is a representative Baroque manor house with a portal, a coat-of-arms tower, an adjoining manor house and a pantheon chapel. More about Gama: Gama Bárcena Cicero.

In the Barrio de la Madama in Ambrosero are the remains of a former residence; the historic site is associated with a stay there beginning in 1584. Ambrosero is also home to a Rococo high altar from 1770 by Cosme de Vierna and Manuel Ortiz de Palacio.

Other places in Cantabria: Veguilla, Santander, Villapresente, Peñarrubia, Tresviso, San Vicente de la Barquera, Otañes.

Views and Routes

The Mirador de las Marismas in Cicero is a viewpoint offering exceptional views over the coast. After leaving the forest, the Ruta de Vidular offers views over the valley and, in clear weather, of the sea.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cantabria.