San Miguel de Bernúy – Canyons, Mills and History

San Miguel de Bernúy lies at the end of the Las Vencias reservoir. The northern gorges of the Duratón, also known as the Hoces de las Vencías, run between San Miguel de Bernúy and Fuentidueña.

Nature and Water

Duraventour offers canoeing trips in the Hoces del Duratón for all age groups and target audiences; the boats are stable and the waters calm. During the canoeing experience, visitors can see the rock walls of the Duratón Canyon and one of Europe’s largest colonies of griffon vultures. San Miguel de Bernúy is also home to the remains of several historic mills.

Near the Church of San Miguel, there are several viewpoints overlooking the Hoces del Duratón. A cave can be reached by crossing the medieval bridge and taking the path on the right, where the trail to the Las Vencias reservoir begins. The different highlights—canoeing, viewpoints, the cave and traces of the mills—can be given separate priority when planning your own visit.

Architecture and History

The architectural complex traditionally known as the Complex of the Ermitonas and San Pedros is considered San Miguel de Bernúy’s most important architectural heritage site. It includes a single-nave Romanesque church, as well as the remains of a fortified gallery and a defensive tower. The medieval Puente medieval del Duratón bridge in San Miguel de Bernúy has three semicircular arches. According to tradition, Isabella the Catholic crossed this bridge on her journey to Burgos.

On the banks of the Duratón River in San Miguel de Bernúy stands the Molino Grande del Duratón, a recently restored 19th-century grain mill. At the Molino Grande del Duratón, visitors are offered canoeing trips, hikes, cycling routes and various workshops.

Religious Sites

The parish church Iglesia parroquial de San Miguel de Bernuy preserves a Romanesque apse and Romanesque tower; most of the rest of the building dates from the 18th century. Inside are a Baroque high altarpiece and other religious artworks. On the road to Cobos de Fuentidueña stands the Ermita de la Virgen del Río, a rectangular 19th-century building in the Romanesque style, constructed using elements from other hermitages.

Archaeology and Festivals

Los Sampedros is an archaeological site with Celtiberian settlement that was abandoned during the Roman period around the beginning of the Common Era. At the same time, Los Sampedros is one of the archaeological sites from which Celtiberian and Vaccaean material remains originate in the collections of the Museo de Segovia. Local festivals include San Antonio on June 13 and San Miguel on September 29; the main celebrations take place on the last weekend of September.

When comparing holiday apartments in San Miguel de Bernúy, you can first compare travel dates, category and cancellation policies on the offer pages. The choice of period can be made independently of whether water, buildings, archaeology or festivals is the main focus.

Other Places

Other places to explore: Cedillo De La Torre, Coca, Aguilafuente, Santo Tomé Del Puerto, Castroserna De Abajo, Migueláñez, Castroserna De Arriba, Burgomillodo

For the higher-level travel overview: Segovia.