Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Santa Cruz de Andino
Santa Cruz de Andino is one of the towns in the municipality of Villarcayo de Merindad de Castilla la Vieja.
The first reference to this town appears in volume II of the Diccionario geográfico-estadístico-histórico de España y sus posesiones de Ultramar (Geographical-statistical-historical dictionary of Spain and its overseas possessions). This book stated that, due to its high geographical location, it was possible to enjoy beautiful panoramic views from the hamlet of Santa Cruz, which is why it was known as the "balcony of Castile". It consisted of 24 houses, including the council and the parish church, which was dedicated to San Blas.
Today the village is surrounded by dense cereal fields and, in the distance, La Tesla, the peaks of the Cordillera and the Sierra de Tudanca can be seen.
The most outstanding element of its architectural heritage is, without doubt, the Tower of the Gómez de Porras family. Despite its dilapidated state, this medieval defensive construction is notable for its square structure. Next to this building, in the hamlet of Santa Cruz, we also find its parish church, built between the 16th and 17th centuries. It is located in the highest part of the town and is dedicated to San Blas. Its façade is notable for its high belfry, topped with a cross and two bells, as well as for the robustness of its thickened walls and buttresses. It consists of a portico that opens outwards, in which a pointed arch made of large voussoirs can be seen.
The interior still preserves a baptismal font with a cylindrical base and a smooth gothic-style cup, as well as an image of the Pietà with a cross.