Discover Ribamontán Al Monte – Churches, Festivals and Trails

Ribamontán Al Monte first draws attention to the chancel of Santa María de Toraya: it was built in 1575 with a shell-shaped vault on squinches and is characteristically Renaissance for Cantabria at that time, as well as particularly original.

When comparing a holiday apartment in Ribamontán Al Monte, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective offer pages. Check this information against your planned period and your own priorities; this also makes it easy to assess the length of your stay.

For your own planning, buildings, a set festival date and a trail connection can be considered as separate focal points. Cultural discoveries, community traditions and outdoor activity can be weighted differently, without any fixed order being prescribed.

Culture

The church of Santa María de Toraya, also known as La Asunción, is located in Hoz de Anero and is the emblematic monument of the municipality of Ribamontán al Monte.

As the Church of the Assumption, it was rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries in place of an earlier monastery.

Since 1905, El Desierto has been used by the Discalced Carmelites as the Santo Desierto de San José de Rigada.

In Hoz de Anero, El Desierto consists of two Baroque Montañés manor houses connected by a central chapel.

Next to Hoz de Anero Town Hall are the remains of a monumental holm oak; the Junta de Trasmiera used to meet at its location.

Another district in Hoz de Anero comprises eight stone houses that were collected from various places in northern Spain and restored, making them attractive to visitors.

Those who approach the area through its architectural forms will notice different details than they would when focusing on a date in the festival calendar or a trail route. You can pursue these perspectives separately and assign weight to them according to your own travel theme.

Festivals and Cuisine

The Fiesta de la Virgen del Camino is celebrated on the third Sunday in September in the municipality of Ribamontán al Monte.

In the morning, a Eucharistic service and a procession in honor of the Virgen del Camino take place at the hermitage of the same name.

At midday, participants can enjoy a communal meal featuring traditional dishes such as cocido montañés.

For your stay, you can consider cultural sites, the festival tradition and the trail connection as separate topics alongside one another. This does not establish any fixed order; the weighting is left to your personal planning.

Trails and Getting There

A 1,140-metre-long footpath connects Hoz de Anero with Solegrario.

Hoz de Anero also has a railway station for which arrival and departure times are published.

A specific distance in metres and published arrival and departure times belong to different planning steps; you can compare both independently with your desired daily schedule.

The following destinations are also available for further research: Marina De Cudeyo, Herada, Corvera De Toranzo, Otañes, Arredondo, Hermandad De Campoo De Suso, Veguilla and El Astillero.

Summer Tours

In summer, free guided tours are offered at the church of Santa María de Toraya, presenting its architecture, cultural heritage and traditional stories passed down over centuries.

For the broader travel overview: Cantabria.