~Monumental
Towns
The Merindades
and the north of Burgos Spain have really attractive towns,
they have known how to conserve the artistic heritage during
the history and they attest to a past linked to the origins
of the Castilla Area. Medina de Pomar, Villarcayo, Espinosa
de los Monteros, Frías, Villasana de Mena, Oña,
Briviesca y Poza de la Sal are the best examples.
~Art
The historic
relevance of the Merindades area is reflected in the large
number of artistic interest constructions which are conserved
and are included in the civil, religions or defence architecture.
We can find prehistory remains like dolmens, Los Altos and
the Valle of Sedano, fort and Celtic cemetery, roman remains
like the base of the Tedeja´s Castle, Visigothic remains
at Saint Mary´s Church of Mijangos, to get to the Middle
Age, the most glorious historical age in the Merindades.
Here
coexist constructions of roman art, with hermitages and necropolis
or cemeteries excavated in limestone. Large numbers of hermitages
and churches are sign of the glorious roman art throughout
the area: Saint Peter of Tejada, The Almiñé,
Saint Pantaleón of Losa, Butrera, Crespos, Saint Michel
of Cornezuelo, Escaño, Tabliega, Saint Mary of Siones
or Saint Lorenzo of Vallejo are some of the main ones.
There are less representations of the gothic style; most of
the churches have the roman base with gothic parts. The Church
of the Monastery of Saint Salvador of Oña, the Convent
of Saint Clara of Medina the Pomar or the Colegiata of Sanit
Mary of Valpuesta are remarkable samples.
The defensive architecture has its period of growth in the
14th and 15th centuries with the castles constructions ( Frías¨s
Castle, Alcázar of teh Condestables) and longer number
of defender towels (Valdenoceda, Quintana of Valdivielso Salazar,
Espinosa, Quisicedo.)
During 16th and 17th centuries, when the political situation
was calm, the noble and rich families built their principals
houses and palaces: The Chiloeches´s palce, Torme, The
Ribero and Salazar ´s house, Herrán, Nava, Medina
de Pomar, Villasana de Mena.
Also is important to mention the popular architecture of the
Merindades, where coexist their own elements with the ones
from the typical bordering provinces (Cantabria, País
Vasco) and also with others more refined.
~Museum
Museum of Saint Johan's Tower (Oña)
Museum Etnographic (Montejo de San Miguel)
Museum of The Merindades´ History (Alcázar de
los Condestables-Medina de Pomar)
~Archiecture
Routs
- Ravine
of The Horadada
- Aula
Arqueológica de Sedano
The popular architecture of Salazar town is also very outstanding.
We find, most of the time, remote houses with thick walls
of masonry, smalls windows, and the “Solana” or
wood balcony open and looking south at the top of the house;
the house is square-built and generally with a 4 slopped roof.
You go outside through a big door to get to a interior patio
and a vegetable garden at the back.
In Salazar
town conserves long number of blasones houses, the excellent
buildings, in some ways built entirely with masonry, zaguanes
and coats of arms.
An interesting
religious building is the gothic Saint Stefan church (16th
century) with a special Christ make from alabaster, Saint
Bartolome´s Hermit, built later, with some reused elements,
The Christ Hermit, restored, fit to the outside of the medieval
convent with rest of the XIII century, with a lattice window
that can be origin from Mozarabic Époque. At the same
way, at the apse discover and restored some wonderful fresco
paintings to the Honour of Mary Virgin from XVI century. Also
is important to mention “The Crucero” or “Cross”
in the middle of the town.
The Salazar towers are the most symbolic fortification house.
The Building has two towers and a central area from the 16th
and 17th century.
This tower was the Salazar´s family house with a leading
role in the area’s history and in the development of
Castile.
At the back of the house there is a beautiful renaissance
gallery.
"
La Ondina" Country House
C/Santa María s/n. Salazar (Burgos)
Information and Reservations:
034+947
13 14 78 / 034+651 37 70 74
laondina@laondina.com
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