Colindres between Salt Marsh and History

The estuary of the Río Asón and the salt marsh formed within the municipality of Colindres belong to the Marismas de Santoña, Victoria y Joyel Nature Park. The salt marshes of Colindres are designated as a ZEPA area, that is, a Special Protection Area for birds. Colindres is also part of the European RAMSAR network for wetlands.

Nature

About 400 metres after the start of the promenade, there is a birdwatching point where binoculars can be used to observe the salt marsh’s flora and fauna. The nature trail along the estuary of the Río Asón is 2.3 km long, has a low difficulty level and takes about 60 minutes. It can be completed on foot or by bicycle; a cycle path runs along the entire promenade.

History and Trails

The Royal Shipyards of Falgote were founded in 1618 to build ships for the Armada del Mar Océano and galleons for the Carrera de Indias. The Puente Giratorio, which connects Colindres and Treto, opened in 1905 and was considered an engineering milestone of its time because of its complex rotating mechanism.

The Ruta de las Casonas runs near the historic Camino Real. Kings and nobles, wool merchants, grain traders and travellers from Castile once used this route to reach the coast and European markets. Colindres is one of the municipalities on the Ruta del Emperador Carlos V, the route taken by the emperor himself. When the ferry service between Laredo and Santoña does not operate in winter, the signposted hiking alternative leads through Colindres, Escalante and Gama.

The Modernist route starts at Alameda-Gurugú and ends at the Puente Giratorio; it is 1.6 km long and has a low difficulty level.

Architectural Heritage

The Iglesia San Juan Bautista was built on the ruins of a medieval monastery dedicated to San Jorge and San Juan, dating from the 10th or 11th century. The Iglesia San Juan Bautista contains thirteen walnut choir stalls from the former monastery; they now stand in the choir. The church is located on the original Way of Saint James. Remains of the historic Los Nuevos tidal mill have survived in Colindres.

An inscription on the Casa de los Capitanes gives the year 1728 and names Don Bartolomé and Don Felipe de Palacio as its builders. The Casa de los Capitanes is a residential building in the Montañés Baroque style. The Palacio del Infantado or Condestable is a Renaissance palace created by expanding a medieval tower in the 16th century.

The Iglesia del Carmen was built in 1964 to a design by the architect Emilio Canosa Gutiérrez, who was from Colindres. The Casa-torre de Los Agüero was originally built in the 15th century as a square medieval tower. It has two coats of arms; the striking shield on the main façade belonged to the Agüero family.

The Casa Cahupín-Villota dates back at least to the first half of the 17th century and is regarded as a Casona montañesa in the Clásico Montañés style. The Casa-torre de Santaolaja, also known as Torre de Santolaja, has an unusual circular floor plan.

Food and Festivals

Colindres had a significant historic Chacolí wine tradition that was widespread until the 19th century; vineyards and vine-covered arbors shaped the town’s historic landscape for a long time. Citrus fruits, especially oranges and sour lemons, traditionally ranked among Colindres’s most important agricultural products and for centuries supported significant export trade with France, England, Ireland and the Netherlands.

The traditional Día del Cocido takes place every year in Parque del Riego and attracts hundreds of residents and visitors. The San-Ginés programme includes a workshop and the sale of anchovies from Colindres. The San Ginés festivities include the Día de la Marmita, a competition organised by the Cofradía del Bonito del Norte de Colindres association.

Further destinations: Herrera De Ibio, La Ventona, Camargo, Reinosa, Valcaba, Ibio, Villaescusa, Otañes

Orientation

When comparing holiday apartments in Colindres, you can check the travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions side by side on the respective offer pages. These three details provide a clear overview of the conditions of each offer.

The Albergue de Colindres is located in a former teachers’ house owned by the municipality, on the Way of Saint James. The Colindres tourist information office is located on the ground floor of the Casa de Serafina.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cantabria.