Puente Pumar preserves one of the best-preserved historic centers in Polaciones and the most complete ensemble of civil architecture in the Polaciones valley. The church, manor houses and traditional homes reveal different aspects of the town’s architectural history. The town also has a historic bridge over the Collavín stream and is located at the upper end of the Embalse de la Cohilla reservoir.

Church, Manor Houses and Homes

The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Natividad was rebuilt between 1764 and 1781 over the ruins of the original temple. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, with a semicircular vault above the crossing. The date and floor plan describe two different aspects of the church’s construction: its building history and the spatial arrangement of the structure.

Behind the church stands the Casa del Arzobispo, also known as Casa de la Coronela. This 18th-century manor house has a dressed-stone façade. The ground floor has three round arches, with three so-called pulpit balconies above. The building serves as the reception center for the Ecomuseo Saja-Nansa. If you plan to stop there, check the visiting arrangements locally.

Another architectural pair is formed by the Casa de los Coroneles Superior and the Casa de los Coroneles Intermedia below it. The Superior is a large 18th-century manor house with agricultural outbuildings and two monumental entrance gates. The Intermedia also dates from the 18th century, but has two simple porticoes with basket-handle arches. Comparing them gives a clear sense of the different scales and forms found in manor-house architecture.

Traditional homes are also part of the townscape: they combine limestone with oak or chestnut wood and distinctive solanas. This combination complements the stone façades of the manor houses with a different style of construction. Puente Pumar therefore offers not only individual named buildings, but also several concrete examples of how civil architecture and traditional homes have developed in the town.

Bridge, Reservoir and Routes

The historic Puente Pumar bridge spans the Collavín stream and carries the CA-862 road between La Laguna and Uznayo. It was probably built of stone in the 18th century; this date is an estimate. Together with the town’s location at the upper end of the Embalse de la Cohilla reservoir, the bridge is another landmark that helps orient visitors.

Puente Pumar’s Fábrica de luz is part of the area’s industrial history. It was a mill until 1930, after which it generated electricity for Puente Pumar and other places in Polaciones. The transition from milling to electricity generation makes its historical role distinct from that of the civil and religious architecture.

Two routes start in La Laguna: Stage 01 of the “Los Pueblos de Polaciones” route and the Camino del Potro. La Laguna is about 500 meters from Puente Pumar. Before setting out, check access and the route’s signage. The Camino Histórico del Cantábrico a Castilla crosses the old stone bridge and leaves Puente Pumar heading south toward Lombraña and Tresabuela. Surface and trail conditions can change along this route, so take that into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Ramales De La Victoria, La Canal, Argüébanes, Celis, Somaniezo, Sel de la Carrera, Cuchia, Valle

For the main travel overview: Cantabria.