11 stone villages to discover this summer

This year we are not only going to discover the coastal areas, but also those stone villages that retain all the charm of the past. As if frozen in time, in Spain we have many famous stone villages such as Peratallada or Santillana del Mar. However, there are many that are still not as popular and are the perfect excuse to get away in summer.

Puentedey

Puentedey is a town located in the province of Burgos that still keeps that special charm that the most unknown hide. Many of the houses in the village are built using stones. However, the most unique thing about Puentedey is its natural stone bridge, as the river Nela broke through the rock creating a perfect gap. Amongst all the things to see here, the parish church of San Pelayo stands out, as its oldest remains date from the 11th century.

stone villages

Puentedey | Shutterstock

Castellfollit de la Roca

Few places are as overwhelming as Castellfollit de la Roca, Girona, which, located at the top of a cliff every day, plays with gravity. It is located at the top of a large basalt cliff, 50 metres high and less than a kilometre long. It is not surprising that the views, both of the village and from it, are beautiful. Its old town is of medieval origin and the houses here are built with stones and volcanic rocks from the region.

stone villages

Shutterstock

Valverde de los Arroyos

Valverde de los Arroyos is one of the greatest examples of black architecture in Guadalajara. Although its entire complex retains the essence of the black towns, some of the best buildings are located in its main square, such as the parish church. Its buildings, besides being built with black slate were used to carry out the gneiss stone, a quartzite that gives off a characteristic luminosity when reflected in it the sun’s rays. However, this architectural peculiarity is typical of the villages located on the western slope of the Ocejón peak, since in addition to the latter, the villages of Palancares and Almiruete are also examples.

stone villages

Valverde de los Arroyos, Guadalajara

Bulnes

Bulnes is one of those unknown treasures of Asturias, one of the perfect stone villages to discover this summer. Knowing its location, in the council of Cabrales and in the middle of the Picos de Europa, the beauty of the landscape of this village is guaranteed. The houses in Bulnes are made of limestone with red roofs. The less than 40 inhabitants who live here are dedicated to cattle raising, tourism and the production of Cabrales cheese. In the past, Bulnes could only be reached by a footpath, but nowadays, both visitors and residents make use of a funicular railway that crosses the Peña Maín.

stone villages

Bulnes | Shutterstock

Bárcena Mayor

In this case, Bárcena Mayor is perhaps one of the best known on this list as well as one of the most beautiful villages in the province of Cantabria. It is the only village located inside the Saja Besaya Natural Park, so its surroundings are of maximum interest. Here the great protagonists are the stone houses and streets, cared for over the years and in perfect condition. They are houses that respond to the type of mountain house of rural environment, of two floors and made up of solana, porch and wood closings. Catalogued as a Historic-Artistic Site, the old rector’s houses, the mountain houses and the church of Santa María from the 17th century are a must to visit.

Rupit

The very name Rupit already gives an indication of what one will find in this village in Barcelona, as it derives from the Latin “rupes” which in Spanish means rock. However, to access the streets of Rupit you must first go over a suspension bridge that crosses the stream. Walking through the cobbled streets of the old town, the stone houses from the 16th and 17th centuries and the beautiful wooden balconies that seem to be in tune with the mountain landscape stand out.

stone villages

Rupit | Shutterstock

Patones de Arriba

The Community of Madrid hides surprises in its surroundings as is the case of Patones, a municipality that is divided into two villages, Patones de Arriba and Patones de Abajo. While Patones de Abajo is a much more modern area, Patones de Arriba has managed to remain practically intact over time. It is one of the most characteristic examples of black architecture located in the Sierra de Ayllón. Declared a Cultural Interest Site, its narrow streets hidden from view, its floors and slate houses have made it one of the stone villages to discover this summer.

Patones de Arriba

Castrillo de los Polvazares

Castrillo de los Polvazares is one of the stone villages to discover this summer in León. It is one of the most relevant within the Maragatería region, as it keeps all its essence from the 18th century. Ancient land of horse transporters, with its good state of conservation it has earned the declaration of Historic-Artistic Site. Here streets and houses seem to have no dividing lines, as both are made of stone.

Castrillo de los Polvazares. | Shutterstock

Fornalutx

Formalutx | Shutterstock

One of the most beautiful villages of Mallorca that surprises with its streets and stone houses. Some of them still preserve the paintings of their tiles, which date back to the 14th and 19th centuries and depict everyday and religious scenes. At the top of the Sierra de Tramontana, Fornalutx has both mountains and sea nearby, a combination that makes it the perfect choice to be one of the stone villages to discover this summer.

Roda de Isábena

Roda de Isábena is part of the municipality of Isábena and is located in Huesca, surrounded by three mountain ranges: the Sierra del Chordal, the Sierra de Esdolomada and the Sierra de Sís. As far as its monumental set is concerned, this stone village has many attractions such as its wall or the Romanesque bridge of San Jaime, among others. However, perhaps the most curious thing is its cathedral of San Vicente martyr, since Roda de Isábena is the smallest town in Spain to have a cathedral. It has also been declared a National Monument.

Roda de Isábena (Huesca)

Viniegra de Arriba

Viniegra de Arriba is located on the summit of Las Siete Villas, at an altitude of 1,182 metres, in the heart of the Sierra de La Rioja, in the upper course of the Najerilla River. This village, where the streets and houses are made of stone, stands out for its simplicity. Its inhabitants make their living from livestock farming, which is mainly sheep farming. One of the points of interest in Viniegra de Arriba is the parish church of La Asunción, where Roman remains can be found. Original from the 15th century, it has an important high choir and a gothic structure. Another is the hermitage of La Magdalena, whose interior is Romanesque and its exterior is Gothic.

Viniegra de Arriba | Photo: lariojaturismo.com


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