Crespos: Romanesque Art, Necropolis and Forest Landscape

Crespos is home to the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, a building whose oldest parts were probably constructed in the first half of the 12th century. The semicircular portal has three archivolts with plant motifs and sawtooth ornamentation. Inside, there is a Romanesque baptismal font. At the same time, Crespos is surrounded by forests and beech stands. When choosing a holiday apartment in Crespos, these priorities can be weighted differently: historical details, the forest landscape or destinations in the wider regional area.

When planning a trip to Crespos, the holiday apartment can be considered as a separate selection point alongside the Romanesque church, the necropolis and the forest landscape. Travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered separately from destinations in the wider regional area.

Culture

Another historical trace is formed by the Tumbas de los Moros. The tombs carved into the rock belong to an early medieval necropolis dating from the period between the 8th and 11th centuries. Despite its extensive state of decay and overgrowth, only two groups of anthropomorphic tombs are faintly visible at the necropolis. They are oriented with the head to the east and the feet to the west, and follow a Christian burial rite.

The different historical forms can be considered without major thematic leaps: sacred architecture, Romanesque furnishings and a necropolis stand side by side in Crespos, each with their own characteristics. It is precisely the specific details – archivolts, baptismal font, rock-cut tombs and the orientation of the graves – that provide the cultural history of the place with its distinctive points of reference.

Nature

Alto de San Cristóbal is a mountain in the surroundings of Crespos. In the wider regional area of Crespos, Playa de Arija is a beach. The mountains Monte Bigüenzo and Alto Otero Mayor are also located there. The Julióbriga Roman City and Domus Museum monument is located in the same wider regional area. The named landscape destinations offer different spatial points of reference for planning.

Regional Area

The Valle de Manzanedo begins in Crespos at the foot of the Burgos-Santander road. The Museo De Las Tres Villas Pasiegas, a museum, is also located in the wider regional area of Crespos. The Julióbriga Roman City and Domus Museum is a monument there. Depending on their interests, visitors can consider the landscape, regional history and historical evidence side by side.

More town pages: Cigüenza, Pesquera De Ebro, Pancorbo, Cogollos, Villanueva de Argaño, Miñón, Busto De Bureba, Zuzones.

Routes

The Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción in Crespos is the sixth stop on the Ruta 2: El Legado del Románico route. On this route, Crespos is associated with a more developed Romanesque sculptural style; its themes include realistic depictions of animals such as eagles and lions, as well as, in the case of Crespos, depictions of lust.

For the higher-level travel overview: Burgos.