Matalbaniega: Church of San Martín, Cycling Routes and Mountains

In Matalbaniega, the cornice zone of the Church of San Martín features more than 60 corbels with a wide variety of depictions: erotic figures, musicians, real and fantastical animals, figures with books, and botanical and geometric motifs.

Culture

The construction of the Church of San Martín is dated to the late 12th or early 13th century. It was originally part of the former San Martín convent, which was probably in operation for only a few years.

The Church of San Martín preserves two entrance portals on either side of the nave. It also houses a 14th-century Gothic image of the Virgin and Child. The building therefore brings together medieval architectural history, its former use as part of a convent, and a later sacred image.

On 28 October 1993, the Church of San Martín was recognised as an Asset of Cultural Interest. San Martín Obispo is celebrated as the patron saint’s festival in Matalbaniega on 11 November. This fixed November date complements the building’s architectural and artistic features with a specific reference in the town’s annual calendar.

Activities

The “Pedaleando por el Románico” mountain-bike circular route passes through Matalbaniega. As a circular route, it is just under 60 kilometres long, climbs slightly more than 1,000 metres in elevation and has a technically difficult level.

The route can be used all year round, except during snow-related periods in Montaña Palentina. Route length, elevation profile, technical difficulty and the seasonal exception therefore represent different criteria for personal day planning. When comparing routes, these details can be considered separately rather than combining length, elevation gain and technical difficulty into a single characteristic.

Another route is called “Romanico Norte II” and leads into the landscape of the Montaña Palentina Nature Park. The two routes thus link the specific circular route through Matalbaniega with a second route name associated with the landscape of the nature park.

Landscape

Several prominent elevations lie in the wider regional surroundings of Matalbaniega: Alto del Cotío is a mountain, and Monte Bigüenzo is also a mountain. Cochillón o Peña del Pando is another mountain, while Tres Mares is classified as a peak. The names therefore do not represent a uniform designation, but identify three mountains and an additional peak in the wider regional surroundings.

Surroundings

Also located in the wider regional surroundings of Matalbaniega are Castillo de Argüeso, a castle; Julióbriga Roman City and Domus Museum, a monument; and the Colegiata de San Pedro, a church. The regional selection thus includes different types of destinations: a castle, a monument and another church.

For a holiday apartment in Matalbaniega, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered alongside one another. These details can be checked independently and weighted according to your own travel dates.

More places for your travel planning: Villarmentero De Campos, Ledigos, Prádanos de Ojeda, Cevico De La Torre, Valenoso, Dehesa De Montejo, Carrión De Los Condes, Valoria Del Alcor

To the higher-level travel overview: Palencia.