Ruiseñada: La Meaza Cave, Chapels and Route 5

Ruiseñada lies in a valley in the municipality of Comillas. La Meaza Cave has been protected since 1997 as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC) in the “Monument” category and contains examples of rock paintings. It is closed to the public; access is exclusively limited to researchers and specialists. The cave lies on the northern side of a gentle hill bordering a large doline; it is a fossil ponor of this doline and lies in a broad zone of Lower Cretaceous Bedoulian limestone. Those reading this information can consider the geological classification and cultural-historical status separately.

Culture and history

The districts of Ruiseñada contain terraced houses that form characteristic ensembles of rural architecture. The philologist and writer Tomás Antonio Sánchez was born in Ruiseñada in the 18th century. Casa de los Arcos is an ensemble of medieval houses with a Romanesque tower. The Chapel of Santa Ana is a Neo-Gothic religious building with a single rectangular nave and is located in Piroga. The Chapel of Santa Apolonia is located on the main square of La Molina, has an approximately square floor plan and a roof turret decorated with a Romanesque arch. The Chapel of El Carmen is located in Araos. Hípica Troya Comillas is located on the La Escoria estate in Ruiseñada.

The cultural information places different emphases side by side: architectural form, district, historical period and biographical connection. You can read these levels separately by considering the architectural details, religious sites and names associated with Ruiseñada as distinct focal points.

This means that different focal points are available for planning the day: the cave forms part of the protected cultural and geological heritage, the chapels and houses make several districts readable as separate destinations, while Route 5 combines exercise with a circular route. These differences can be taken into account when putting together the day's itinerary.

Routes and activities

Route 5, “Hermitage of San Esteban and the Valle del Río del Mato”, is suitable for mountain biking along its entire length and begins at the church in Ruiseñada. It is a circular route of low difficulty and approximately 10 kilometres in length. The starting point, mode of travel, route format, difficulty rating and approximate length provide different points of reference for personal day planning. The stated length should be understood as an approximate value.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Ruiseñada, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective offer page. Looking at the same offer fields in this way keeps the accommodation decision separate from the characteristics of the area and makes differences between offers easier to identify.

Landscape

For your own planning, you can read landform, watercourse and forest connection as separate landscape details. The Río del Mato flows through an enclosed karst valley. Its water seeps underground and re-emerges from a spring near Ruiseñada. Ruiseñada is considered one of the main access points to Monte Corona forest.

For the overarching travel overview: Comillas.