Uznayo: Architectural Heritage, Stone Bridges and Paths

The Iglesia de San Cosme y San Damián stands in Uznayo. It is an example of 18th-century Montañés Baroque, with a polygonal apse and a nave divided into two bays. The Humilladero de las Ánimas complements this architectural setting as an 18th-century wayside oratory with a stone-carved relief depicting the Poor Souls in Purgatory.

Culture and Architectural Heritage

Uznayo’s traditional architecture includes houses made of stone and wood from the valley itself, as well as characteristic solanas designed to capture warmth and light. Two notable houses in Uznayo date from the second half of the 18th century. Uznayo therefore showcases both ecclesiastical architecture and homes built with regional materials and historic details.

The hydraulic ensemble of El Duerno is part of everyday architectural heritage. It consists of a spring, a livestock trough and a washhouse arranged in a line. In the surrounding area of Uznayo, invernales of high ethnographic value have also been preserved. The rectangular washhouse in Uznayo contains a basin divided into two sections, as well as a smooth, sloping washing stone.

The Menhires de Sejos archaeological site comprises five sandstone menhirs that originally formed a cromlech. Together with the solanas, the El Duerno ensemble and the invernales, this broadens the view from prehistoric stone arrangements to the facilities of rural everyday life.

Paths and Landscape

Uznayo can be reached via a turn-off in La Laguna and is 3 kilometres from the main road.

Stage 3 of the Los Pueblos de Polaciones route runs entirely through the ZEC Valles altos del Nansa y Saja y Alto Campoo Special Conservation Area. This stage lies within the recovery area for the Cantabrian brown bear.

After leaving Uznayo, the stage climbs uphill across meadows to the Collado de Lombraña. In the first 0.4-kilometre section of the Uznayo–Puente Pumar route, two old stone bridges are crossed.

The Senda Fluvial del Nansa from Uznayo to Puente Pumar is a themed trail for pedestrians focusing on water and on the industrial and public architectural heritage of the Nansa Valley connected with the river. The stage across meadows and the themed trail along the Nansa therefore have different focuses: here, landscape and ascent; there, water, bridges and the heritage connected with the river.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Uznayo, the information about travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions is central alongside the place itself. These three points form a separate practical aspect, while churches, paths, bridges and protected areas define the destination’s character.

Further Places

Further place pages: Olea, Torrelavega, Mazcuerras, Ruente, Rionansa, Ampuero, Villar and Villapresente.

To the main travel overview: Cantabria.