Santa María de Ordás: Torre de Ordás, Nature and History

Santa María de Ordás lies along the course of the Río Luna. A prominent landmark in the area’s history is the Torre de Ordás: the partially preserved, cylindrical military structure is more than 20 metres high; architectural evidence suggests that it had five storeys.

The historical sites and different nature experiences can be given different emphasis depending on the time available.

Culture

The Torre de Ordás belonged to a complex of defensive fortresses on the banks of the Omaña, Luna and Órbigo rivers. This complex initially served to protect against the Muslims and later to secure the territories of the Quiñones, the lords of Luna. In the 14th century, don Pedro Suárez de Quiñones built the Torre over the remains of an earlier fortress of unknown origin; it commanded the confluence of the Luna and Omaña rivers.

Adrados de Ordás is home to the Castro Astur, an archaeological site dating from pre-Roman times. The church in Santa María de Ordás was built of stone in 1952 and has arches inside; its bell tower dates from 1918. An old mill in Callejo de Ordás was used in winter: the power of the stream was used to grind rye or wheat into flour.

Other places:Cistierna, Puente De Domingo Flórez, Huergas de Gordón, San Martín de la Tercia, Aralla de Luna, Vegacervera, Pereda De Ancares, Gusendos De Los Oteros

Landscape and Nature

The La Tierra de Ordás route begins in Santa María de Ordás and follows an old path towards Formigones and Villapodambre. It passes through an area of holm oaks; between Formigones and Callejo de Ordás, it runs through a dehesa with old agricultural fields among the oaks.

The Embalse de Selga de Ordás provides a habitat for resident waterfowl; in winter, the reservoir is also visited by various migratory bird species. The birds are easy to observe from the path along the reservoir shore. The birdwatching route can lead from the car park along a short path to the north and along a shore path to the south.

The two routes have different focuses: La Tierra de Ordás represents sections of trail through oak landscapes, while the other route focuses on birdwatching at the reservoir. Different landscape themes and directions help you organise your planned time outdoors at your own pace.

Getting There

From León to Santa María de Ordás, one access route follows the C-623 road towards Villablino, takes the turn-off at Camposagrado near Rioseco de Tapia, and then continues to Santa María de Ordás. A second route begins on the A-66 motorway at the La Magdalena exit, follows the provincial road LE-420 south, passes through Rioseco de Tapia, and then continues to Santa María de Ordás.

For planning your journey, León and the A-66 can be considered separate starting points.

For the higher-level travel overview: León.