Two very old olive trees stand right beside the entrance to the Church of the Assumption in Perrozo. They provide a tangible starting point for exploring a place where natural and cultural heritage meet at distinctive landmarks: Perrozo lies on the left bank of the Lamedo, a tributary of the Bullón, and offers views of the eastern massif of the Picos de Europa. The trails and the church are useful points of reference as you choose between hiking and exploring the village’s history.
Hikes between Perrozo and Lerones
The documented PR-S XX hiking trail, “Entre Perrozo y Lerones” (“Between Perrozo and Lerones”), starts and ends in Perrozo and runs entirely through a Site of Community Importance (SCI). Check the trail’s current markings before setting out. The circular route is listed as 12.5 kilometres long. Its sections comprise approximately 3.3 kilometres of cart track, 8.1 kilometres of unpaved road and 1.1 kilometres of paved road. The description gives a walking time of 4 hours and 40 minutes in either direction. You can take the stated duration, distance and terrain into account together when planning.
A linear hike recorded in July 2022 runs from Lerones to Perrozo, through holm oak and oak woodland, and ends at the Church of the Assumption. It has a different focus from the circular route: the woodland stretch and the church at the end shape this route description. Trail and woodland conditions can change, so take this into account when planning your hike.
Romanesque Church and Building History
The Church of the Assumption has Romanesque origins, dated to the late 12th or early 13th century. At the Romanesque entrance, an alfiz with a pointed arch frames the portal; the decorated archivolts and capitals feature unusual figures. The hemispherical Romanesque baptismal font is also described in precise detail: it measures 81 centimetres in diameter and 73 centimetres in height, both measurements excluding the base.
Above the south door is a circular stone lattice. Its carved border frames an S-shaped stem with an ivy leaf and an openwork rose window with six or seven petals. The lattice in Perrozo is a plaster copy; the original is said to be held at the Diocesan Museum in Santillana. Check this location information before planning a museum visit.
The former Monastery of Santa María de Perrozo is documented from the 11th century and stood on the site of today’s parish church. A donation of the Monastery of Santa María and Santiago de Perrozo by Munio Alfonso, Count of Liébana, to Abbess Fronilde of Piasca is recorded for 1030. The two historical details highlight different aspects: they point both to the former monastery site and to a specific medieval donation.
La Torre de Perrozo is a former manor house dating from the 18th century. During its complete restoration in 1998, the traditional Lebaniego architecture was preserved, with its distinctive use of stone and oak wood. In contrast to the Romanesque church, the focus here is on the construction of the manor house.
Old bread ovens are also among the traditional architectural features visible in the villages along the hiking route described here. They may be hemispherical or square, made of stone and brick, and sometimes also of clay, and may be attached to the main building. Their varied forms add to the architectural history that can be seen in Perrozo in the church and manor house.
Getting to Perrozo
Access to Perrozo is via the CA-871. It branches off the CA-184 opposite Piasca, between Ojedo and Piedrasluengas. This road information can help you find your way on the map; local road conditions may change, so it is worth checking the latest information before you travel.
Discover more destinations: Cambarco, Frama.
Return to the main travel overview: Cabezón De Liébana.
