Herrera de Pisuerga: History and Canal de Castilla

Herrera de Pisuerga is characterised by a historic urban fabric protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The 131-kilometre long GR 73 long-distance hiking trail, the Calzada de los Blendios, largely follows the ancient Roman road between Pisoraca (Herrera de Pisuerga) and Portus Blendius (Suances).

Culture and history

The Puerta Nueva was built in 1553 by the stonemason Hernando de Valdelastras. The parish church of Santa Ana dates back to the early years of the 15th century; its vaults were completed in 1425. The parish church tower was built in 1659 as the final structural element.

An unusual ensemble of murals is formed by the wall paintings in the Ermita. They were created between 1902 and 1904, executed as oil frescoes on stucco and designed as a coherent mural ensemble.

The Centro de Interpretación del Canal de Castilla is a museum about the history, sections and functions of the canal, as well as the flora and fauna surrounding it. Photographs, maps and models of the entire course of the canal are displayed there, including, in particular, models of the locks.

Canal and historic routes

The Canal de Castilla runs for approximately 5 kilometres through the municipal area of Herrera de Pisuerga. The section near Herrera de Pisuerga includes locks 4, 5, 6 and 7. Along the canal, the towpaths on which draught animals once pulled the barges are still visible.

Advance reservations are always required for trips on the Marqués de la Ensenada boat; sailing times must be requested. The long-distance hiking route, the shorter canal section and the historic towpaths offer different focal points for planning stages and excursions.

Nature

The park in Herrera de Pisuerga has a bird zoo with a pond for various species of waterfowl, as well as aviaries containing numerous native and exotic birds and information panels.

The Casa del Cangrejo de Río is a multidisciplinary centre for interpreting and protecting the native white-clawed crayfish (cangrejo de patas blancas). The Casa's Aula del Río offers an activity on riverbank life, aquatic ecosystems and sustainable fishing on the banks of the Burejo River.

Local tradition

The crayfish festival held in Herrera de Pisuerga includes a professional crayfish cooking competition, as well as an official meal and a community meal.

When planning a personal trip around Herrera de Pisuerga, a holiday apartment can be compared according to the traveller's dates, the preferred room category and the applicable cancellation conditions. These details form part of the accommodation decision, while the culture, canal, nature and local traditions reveal the different thematic focuses of the stay without combining them into a single travel programme.

Other places

Las Heras de la Peña, Pomar De Valdivia, Quintanilla De Las Torres, Alar del Rey, Valenoso, Amayuelas de Abajo, Santa María De Redondo and Husillos.

For the higher-level travel overview: Palencia.