Discover Sasamón – Culture, Roman History and Museums

Sasamón combines protected architecture, archaeological traces, museums and Queso de Oveja Sasamón to create a diverse townscape. As an Asset of Cultural Interest (Bien de Interés Cultural), the town is protected in the “Historic Ensemble” category.

Culture and Townscape

The historic centre of Sasamón has largely preserved its original urban structure, including traces of the former town walls. At its centre stands the Iglesia de Santa María la Real, a protected Gothic architectural monument from the 12th and 13th centuries with five naves and a floor plan based on the Cistercian-abbatial type. Its south portal is a replica of the Sarmental Portal of Burgos Cathedral.

Tourist visits to the Iglesia de Santa María la Real, its sacristy and its cloister are possible daily from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00. The church also houses the Museo Parroquial de Sasamón, with religious works of art.

Museums and Historical Traces

The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Ángel Miguel de Arce López comprises 150 contemporary works of art donated by the clergyman Ángel Miguel de Arce Sasamón. The Casa-Museo de Salaguti offers an unusual exhibition venue: the building-like monumental sculpture mainly displays wood carvings and paintings by the artist Salaguti.

The municipality of Sasamón contains numerous archaeological sites that contribute to understanding the final events of the Cantabrian Wars and the Romanisation of this area. The Medievum places the Mosaico de Arquillo at the centre of its exhibition; it is dated to the late 2nd or early 3rd century. The Centro de Interpretación Medievum is located in the Iglesia de Santa María la Real and offers visitors an interactive journey through the region’s historical development from the Roman era to the Middle Ages.

The archaeological sites include the remains of a Roman road that connected Astorga with Zaragoza and Tarragona. Historians believe that today’s street layout in Sasamón may continue the Roman axes Cardo and Decumanus. Different focuses – from sacred art and contemporary works to antiquity – help visitors organise their sightseeing according to their interests.

Sculptures, Bridges and Buildings

The Cruz del Humilladero is a limestone sculpture more than six metres high. It dates from around 1500 and is attributed to the artistic circle of Colonia. El Crucero de Sasamón, also known as Calvario de Sasamón, is a religious sculptural group consisting of three stone crosses depicting Calvary; it dates from the 16th century.

The Puente de San Miguel displays medieval architectural features and has three pointed arches characteristic of medieval architecture. It may have been built over an existing Roman structure. In the vicinity of Sasamón, the Arco de San Miguel de Mazarreros has seven splayed archivolts resting on decorated capitals. The arch is the only surviving remnant of the former Romanesque church of San Miguel de Mazarreros.

The Puente de Trisla crosses the Brullés River just a few steps from the historic centre of Sasamón. The Ermita de San Isidro was built in three phases from the early 16th century to the 18th century.

Route and Regional Speciality

Sasamón is one of the four towns on the Cuatro Villas de Amaya route; each of the four towns has an interpretation centre. Queso de Oveja Sasamón is made entirely from sheep’s milk from the Churra and Merina breeds and is matured for three to six months.

Other Places

Other places that you can discover in the surroundings of this travel selection include Santa Inés, Quintanar De La Sierra, Quemada, Viloria De Rioja, La Rad, Villanueva De Carazo, Humienta and Remolino.

Historic Water Supply

La Cambija is a medieval structure that formed part of Sasamón’s water supply system. It aerated the water to improve its quality before it was distributed to Sasamón’s Plaza Mayor.

To the higher-level travel overview: Burgos.