Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Puentedey
Puentedey is a hamlet in the Merindad de Valdeporres, in the region of Las Merindades. Its name means "God’s Bridge", which may be related to its location in the middle course of the river Nela.
Before Romanisation, Puentedey was within the territory inhabited by the Celtic Autrigones, who had a strong presence in Segontia Paramica, now known as Cigüenza. The first signs of a stable and organised population seem to date back to the year 824, when the Foramontans arrived in this region. At that time, this area was known as Bardulia, a name derived from the Barduli, which encompassed all the Celtic tribes in the area. In 1340, King Alfonso XI of Castile ordered the creation of a cadastre, known as the Becerro de las Behetrías.
From the Escornadero canyon, the river Nela leads to this hamlet, which has the privilege of being considered one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. Undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful and evocative enclaves of the town is the area around the natural bridge of La Vega and Recobul. It is surrounded by two large mountain massifs. As a curiosity, the first historic centre of the village was located on this natural wonder, where the church of San Pelayo and the tower house of the Brizuela family stood out.
The church is a mixture of different architectural styles, among which the Romanesque and Gothic styles stand out. It consists of a central nave and side chapels, and, on its façade, there is an ancient image of Saint George fighting the dragon.
A stroll through the streets of Puentedey leads to the square where both buildings and various houses of mountain architecture can be found, from which later extensions were carried out in other neighbourhoods such as La Bárcena, La Revilla, El barrio and Camino Rojo.
It is worth noting that the village was divided by the Santander-Mediterranean Sea railway line, with the nearest station being in the neighbouring town of Brizuela. This railway line was closed in 1985.
As for the festivities that take place in the town, San Pelayo martyr stands out, which is celebrated on 26 June. It is also worth mentioning the cucaña (greased pole) festival that the locals celebrate on the last weekend of August.