A trip to Secadura can be planned around a variety of interests: archaeological traces in several caves, the long construction history of the Church of San Juan Bautista, and landmarks along the way such as the Tejo Centenario. There is also a protected palace and local dance traditions. This gives cultural history and landscape a place in your travel plans in different ways.

Hiking and Landscape

An official circular hiking route starts and ends at Parque del puente Indelagua. From Secadura, follow the CA-267 toward Valdelastras. One hiking route reaches the Tejo Centenario after an ascent of approximately two kilometres. Another hike leads downhill for three kilometres to the source of the River Clarión. There you will find a small dam and the remains of an old mill and an ironworks. The route descriptions emphasize different features: the climb to a single tree at the Tejo, and the descent to an area bearing traces of earlier water use at the spring. These specific destinations provide a reason to choose a hike based on the landscape and cultural features that interest you most.

Caves and Archaeological Finds

Excavations in Cueva del Otero revealed up to nine stratigraphic layers, attributed to the Aurignacian, Magdalenian, and Azilian. A frontal depiction of a goat-like animal’s head and a group of non-figurative lines were also discovered on the walls. Both the layers and the wall motifs are therefore central to this cave: they offer different ways of engaging with the site’s archaeological traces.

Cueva del Otero III, also known as Cueva de la Casa de los Cristales, is in Secadura, behind Cueva del Otero. Its archaeological site comprises two layers; the deeper one probably dates to the Palaeolithic. The cautious classification of this layer differs from the attributions given for the several stratigraphic layers at Otero. Finds at Cueva de Solviejo include pottery with fingernail impressions, smooth pottery, and a small group of schematic-abstract depictions. By comparison, the finds mentioned at Otero focus on layers and wall motifs, while those at Solviejo focus on pottery and depictions.

Church of San Juan Bautista and Tomb Slab

Construction of the Church of San Juan Bautista in Secadura began in the late 15th or early 16th century and continued until the end of the 17th century. The tomb slab of the priest Gómez Fernández de Secadura is in a small chapel in the Gospel-side aisle. The chapel has a ribbed vault; the tomb slab is a late-15th-century Gothic limestone relief, carved in very shallow relief. The date of the slab and the construction history of the church are two distinct time references: one identifies a specific tomb, while the other covers the long period during which work on the church was carried out.

Palacio del Conde de San Carlos

In Valdelastras, Secadura, the Palacio del Conde de San Carlos stands on a small island formed by the River Clarión. On 11 August 2005, the palace was designated a Bien de Interés Local in the Inmueble category. Its façades are made of limestone: the main façade features ashlar masonry, while the other façades are built of rubble masonry. Notable details include the moulded surrounds of the main portal and the balcony window, as well as the large central coat of arms. The description thus distinguishes between the stone material and the design of selected façade elements.

Festivals and Dance Traditions

La Pascua Tierradura, also known as the Tierradura Festival, is associated with Easter Sunday, as well as Mass, a procession, dancers, and dancing. If you are planning a trip specifically around the festival, check the dates in advance. Dancers from Secadura also take part in the Grupo de danzas “Virgen de Palacios”: the town is one of the places in the Junta de Voto from which group members come. The group’s repertoire includes Cantabrian dances.

Discover more destinations: Camijanes, Valcaba, Selaya, Santa Cruz De Bezana, Bostronizo, El Astillero, Villaescusa, Trasvia

See the regional travel overview: Cantabria.