Puntos de Interés
Hydrography
River Arlanza
The River Arlanza is one of the most important rivers running through the province of Burgos. It is a tributary of the Pisuerga, into which it flows in the municipality of Torquemada. Its source is in Fuente Sanza, in the municipality of Quintanar de la Sierra at an altitude of almost 1,700 m above sea level in mountains of the Sierra de Neila. Its course begins in a spectacular natural setting, halfway between the Picos de Urbión and the Sierra de la Demanda. Over the course its 160 km journey it crosses the heart of the province of Burgos as far the municipality of Peral de Arlanza, before running through the province of Palencia for just the last 10 km before entering the Pisuerga at the municipality of Torquemada. Along the way, through this rugged area of the province of Burgos it receives the waters of numerous streams and rivers that rise from the thawing of the surrounding mountains. Its main tributary is the Arlanzón, with which it merges shortly before its mouth.
Its route runs close to a natural environment characterised by its variety of landscapes, and flows close to landmarks like the Monastery of San Pedro de Arlanza, in the municipality of Hortigüela. It is a river of vital importance for this area of the province of Burgos, where many of the villages and hamlets have emerged in its basin, harnessing the river to irrigate crops, supply the local population and power mills installed along its banks. It is no coincidence that many of the villages in the area include the river in their name, the water body proving so essential for their survival throughout history.