On 25 July, the Maya is celebrated in Silió: two oak trunks are joined to form a single piece around 30 metres high. Alongside this tradition, the Vijanera, walking trails on Monte Canales and historic buildings are among the topics to consider when planning your trip.
The Vijanera and its interpretation centre
The Vijanera of Silió is a masked celebration featuring around 60 male characters. Each character has distinctive clothing, a role and symbolism. In the municipality of Molledo, the Vijanera has been recognised as an intangible ethnographic asset of cultural interest.
The Centro de Interpretación de la Vijanera in Silió is open to visitors throughout the year. The exhibition features large-format photographs and explanatory panels. They cover the performances, awards and history of the tradition, as well as similarities with other masking customs. For specific visit planning, it is advisable to check opening hours and visitor arrangements in advance.
The Maya: tradition and craftsmanship
Only human strength is used to raise the Maya. Wooden rollers, “Tijeras” and ladders are used. Raising and planting it are part of the annual cycle; the Maya is celebrated in Silió on 25 July. This tradition thus combines a fixed date in the calendar with a clearly described construction process.
Walking trails on Monte Canales
The Senda del Monte Canales starts in Silió and passes through the dense oak and beech forest of Monte Canales. The Erecia River flows through Monte Canales. The route is therefore characterised by woodland and riverside scenery, although the information provided does not indicate a walking time.
Another walking option is the PR-S 42 Ruta del Monte Canales: an 18-kilometre circular route starting in Silió, with a moderate difficulty level, a duration of around five hours and 30 minutes, and 650 metres of ascent. A route directory from 2012 noted that the trail was still awaiting inspection or revision. Therefore, check the current trail conditions before setting out.
Civil architecture and historical dates
Silió’s civil architecture includes the 17th-century Casa de Tagle and the 18th-century Casa y Torre de Obregón. The dates make the difference in age between the two buildings immediately clear: Casa de Tagle dates from the preceding century.
The Romanesque church of San Facundo and San Primitivo in Silió has been designated a National Monument since 1896 and recognised as an asset of cultural interest since 23 April 1970. These two specific recognition dates add to the classification of the church as a Romanesque building.
There are different points to consider when choosing when to travel: the Maya is celebrated on 25 July, while the Centro de Interpretación de la Vijanera is open to visitors all year round. When planning a walk, you can also choose between the trail described as passing through oak and beech forest and the PR-S 42, whose distance, duration and ascent are specified.
Discover more destinations: Nestares, Riotuerto, Anaz, Bárcena de Ebro, Hazas De Cesto, Entrambasaguas, Otañes, Selaya.
For the broader travel overview: Cantabria.
