There are two ways to explore Mercadillo: by following the ENK13 and ENK14 routes, or by discovering the architectural and industrial history around the Puente de Llantada and the Ferrería-molino de Llantada. When planning, it helps to distinguish the routes’ specific points from the historical themes. This lets you choose your focus based on whether you are more interested in connections between places and route features, or in the bridge, mill complex and church.

Routes with Different Points of Reference

In the municipality of Sopuerta, route ENK13 connects the town center of Mercadillo with the district of El Castaño and partly follows the Vía Verde Montes de Hierro. Two aspects should be distinguished: Mercadillo and El Castaño are connected by the route, while the Vía Verde accounts for only part of its course. You can therefore understand ENK13 in terms of its connection between the two places and the section along the Vía Verde.

ENK14 has different points of reference. It crosses the Kolitza River and passes through La Sota. From Las Ribas, it can be extended to El Arenao via connections with ENK15 and ENK17. By comparison, ENK13 is characterized by the connection between Mercadillo and El Castaño and the section along the Vía Verde; for ENK14, the river crossing, La Sota and the possible extension are key. To choose between them, you can consider which of these specific points of reference matters most for your planned route.

Puente de Llantada: Construction and History

The surface and history of the Puente de Llantada provide two different points of reference. The roadway is just over two meters wide and paved with river cobbles. The bridge was built around the 15th century to serve the adjoining Ferrería, located in the district of Mercadillo; it was last rebuilt in 1871. The approximate construction period and the specific year of the rebuilding refer to different construction phases. The bridge can therefore be understood both through its physical characteristics and its purpose in connection with the Ferrería.

Ferrería-molino and Santa María

The Ferrería-molino de Llantada also has its own historical context. It is thought to date from the end of the 15th century. It was established in the district of Mercadillo, very close to the church of Santa María. A short section of canal, the antepara (millpond) and the large water tunnel remain from its hydraulic infrastructure. These features draw attention to the water-related infrastructure of the complex and add another dimension to the history of the bridge.

Santa María de Mercadillo is also one of the town’s architectural points of reference: the church underwent structural alterations in the 18th century. This adds a later construction phase to the Ferrería-molino, which is thought to date from the end of the 15th century. The bridge, in turn, has an approximate construction date around the 15th century and was rebuilt in 1871. These dates refer to different structures and construction phases. The local architectural history thus offers several distinct points of reference in time.

For the broader travel overview: Sopuerta.