Things to Do in Ampuero

Ampuero was used as as Emporium-from where its name comes from-in Roman times, as a villa in the 14th century. Medieval documents show the existence of a solid metallurgical industry, endorsed by the concession by King Alfonso I of Castile of the Fuero de las Ferrerías (Code of Laws for Iron works), which exempted ironmongers from taxes. There is also evidence that numerous flour mills existed in the area.  Both the ironworks and the flour mills operated thanks to the strength of the river.

At the end of the Middle Ages, the Catholic monarchs changed the route of the old way of Castile, which linked the city of Burgos with the port of Laredo. Ampuero was then a place of passage and of market, experiencing a growth in its economy as it became a place for more commercial traffic.

Despite having no port, Ampuero added to its shield a vessel in memory of Gómez de Gascón, owner of La Pinta, one of the caravels used in the first voyage of Columbus to America in 1492, that supposedly the shipowner himself embarked on. Residents of the port of Santoña, among them Juan de la Cosa, were part of the crew of another of the boats, the Santa María.

At the beginning of the 17th century, shepherds found an image of the Virgin in a hermitage in Somahoz, in the municipality of Ampuero. The apparition of the Virgin led to the construction of a sanctuary to be built and King Felipe V granted the privilege of fairs and markets to the villa that contributed to the construction of the temple. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the Virgin would be named Patron of the Mountain, the current Cantabria.

The village of Ampuero stands in a formidable location, close to the sea and the mountains. It is a great place to rest and to enjoy nature and outdoor sports such as hiking or fishing.

The urban nucleus  in Ampuero is endowed with beautiful houses of the 19th century and built with several bridges. The element that really defines the architecture is the typical viewpoints (glass balconies) of the traditional dwellings, that we find around the square, in the main street and in its surrounding area.

The Parish Church of Santa María (15th-17th century), a Good of Local Interest, has a similar architectural layout as everything that spreads across Trasmiera. With a gothic apse and baroque façade, inside it preserves the gravestone of its founder, the knight Sancho Espina. It has a set of interesting altarpieces and a baroque processional cross, in silver.

On the outskirts of Ampuero, in the district of La Bárcena, you can find the Casona de Espina (17th century), a tower-palace with a spectacular portal that has a figure of two strong men carrying clubs. The construction, now in ruins, was the residence of Don Juan de la Espina, said to be a necromancer and sorcerer, when in fact he was just a collector of curious objects and mechanical gadgets.

The Parish Church of Santa Marina (14th and 15th century), is an interesting site in Udalla, a town of the municipality of Ampuero. With its gothic style, it has the peculiarity of having two apses. It has been declared a Good of Cultural Interest.

In Hoz de Marrón – belonging to the municipality- the Sanctuary of the Bien Aparecida (17th century) is located. The church has masonry walls and ashlar stone which contrasts with the decorative profusion of the baroque, major altarpiece where the small image of the Virgin was placed (because it is only 21.60 cm high), a wood carving of the 15th century flamenco style where they encounter the shepherds. On September 15th, the feast of the Patron Saint is celebrated when visitors complete the tradition of walking up the almost 5 km that leads to the sanctuary, covering the 15 steps that represent the Passion of Christ. The church celebrates the mass and the traditional pilgrimage. A traditional market of food, clothing and other items is also held. The sanctuary is also home to the  International Festival of Santander during Easter. During the month of August, it hosts an interesting program of musical events.

In Marrón, the House-Palace of Escajadillo (18th century), a house-tower with four floors with a long balcony that runs on the main facade.

Many fishing enthusiasts flock to the Asón River every year during the opening after the closed-season to capture the Campanu ( in Asturias and Cantabria, this is the name of the first caught salmon of the season, as the churches chimes the bells to announce it). In the month of September, coinciding with the festivities of its Patron Saint, the Virgen Niña, the traditional bull fights are held in Ampuero.