CRIEME connects the history of education in Polanco with a tangible link to José María de Pereda: its headquarters are in a house that once belonged to the writer. The centre includes recreated classrooms from several periods; Marzas, the parish church of San Pedro Advíncula and other literary traces offer further points of interest. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing CRIEME’s scheduled visiting hours from seasonal cultural events.
CRIEME and the history of education
The Centro de Recursos, Interpretación y Estudios en materia educativa (CRIEME) is headquartered in a house that formerly belonged to José María de Pereda. Its recreated historical classrooms cover subjects including 19th-century schooling, the Restoration under Alfonso XIII, the Second Republic, the Franco era and the 1970 Education Act during the EGB period. This spans several clearly identified periods in the history of education and contemporary history.
José María de Pereda’s house in Polanco is a three-storey 19th-century building of the type known as a “casa cubo”, characteristic of the period. A well-kept, impressive garden surrounds the building. Private visits to CRIEME are possible on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. by prior appointment. As access arrangements may change, confirm your appointment before visiting.
Parish church and choral singing
The present-day parish church of San Pedro Advíncula was rebuilt between 1940 and 1944. The former church was destroyed by fire on 18 March 1936. These two dates distinguish the reconstruction of the present building from the history of its predecessor.
The parish church is also the venue for the International Choral Singing Series: all concerts take place there. The series is held annually in October; exact dates and the programme vary from year to year. If attending a concert is important to your travel dates, check the dates for that year’s edition before finalising your trip. The programme for the 2026 Fiestas de San Pedro Advíncula celebrated in Polanco included musical performances, religious events, activities for children, sports, competitions, peña gatherings, traditional food and fireworks.
Marzas and literary traces
Marzas are songs performed at night on the last night of February and the first night of March. Young men and women go from house to house, welcoming spring and praising the homeowners. The tradition was revived in Polanco in 1989; since 1990, the Asociación Sociocultural Polanco and other residents have continued it. Specific performance details may vary.
Beside the “Cagigina” stands a bust of José María de Pereda, inaugurated in 1929 and created by Daniel Alegre Rodrigo. The “Cagigina” is also associated with Pereda’s novel “El sabor de la tierruca”, in which it is described. In the La Cochera neighbourhood stands an 18th-century Casona Montañesa. It was built at the initiative of Antonio Haro and Francisca de Menocal, Pereda’s paternal grandparents.
Landscape and historic routes
From the “Cagigona” and Pereda’s bust, the view looks southwest across the extensive, fertile Diapir of Polanco. Nearby, in Rumoroso, Pozo Tremeo lies in a natural hollow at the foot of a low ridge. Literary landmarks and named landscape features thus sit side by side, without needing to be linked by a specific route.
The Via de Agripa is also part of the area’s historical geography: a section of the ancient route ran through Polanco, from Oruña and Rumoroso to the safe crossing at Barca de Barreda. In November, chestnuts are enjoyed in Polanco with music and dancing. This tradition and the Marzas provide seasonal highlights distinct from the choral singing series in October.
Choose your travel dates according to what you want to experience
The cultural events make it easy to distinguish the seasons: Marzas take place at the turn of February and March, the choral singing series is held annually in October, and chestnuts are part of the local tradition in November. If you want to experience one of these events, check the relevant dates and performance details. For a visit focused on the history of education and literature, the main consideration is the scheduled visiting hours at CRIEME.
Discover more destinations: Mar, Selaya, Villabanez, Peñacastillo, Santander, Castro-Urdiales, Noja, Bareyo, Vioño.
Back to the main travel guide: Cantabria.
