Discover Santa Marina Del Rey through a range of themes: the church and clock tower preserve traces of the town’s history, while pilgrimage routes connect it to a broader tradition of travel. Other highlights include the Feria del Ajo, a long-standing local tradition, and a cycling stage towards León. For planning your trip, the main themes are architectural history, pilgrimage routes, a specific festival date and cycling on minor roads.
Church and clock tower
Construction of the Iglesia de Santa Marina del Rey began in the late 15th or early 16th century in the vernacular Gothic-Mudéjar style. The earliest surviving records of the church, however, date from the 12th century. These dates refer to different things: early records, on the one hand, and the start of construction of the building that survives today, on the other.
The church has three naves and an impressive wooden artesonado ceiling. The parish church is particularly well known for its organ. It also houses a Gothic polychrome wooden statue of the Virgen de las Candelas, dated to between the 12th and 14th centuries. The furnishings thus bring together several historical points of reference alongside the later construction phase of the church building.
The tower of El Reloj de la Villa was built in 1590 and is more than 17.5 metres tall. Over time, local residents took care of its upkeep: they oiled and wound the clock, raised the weights, replaced worn parts and set the clock to the correct time. Maintenance therefore covered the clock itself, its weight-driven mechanism and its worn components.
Pilgrimage history and routes
Hermann Künig recommended that pilgrims travel from León along the Camino de Santa Marina del Rey through La Cepeda and enter El Bierzo via the lowest pass in the Montes de León. The pass connects Brañuelas with Cerezal de Tremor. This historical route description clearly names the stops between León and El Bierzo, with the crossing over the pass serving as a distinct geographical point of reference.
The Vía Künig passes through Santa Marina del Rey. In June 2026, it was reported that the Commission for the Ways of St James in Castilla y León had classified it as a Historic Route to Santiago. At the inauguration that same month, El paso de Künig was presented as a municipal pilgrim hostel in Santa Marina del Rey and as the first hostel under municipal management on the Vía Künig.
Cycling route towards León
Another way to explore the region is to cycle the stage from Santa Marina del Rey to León. It is just over 33 kilometres long and follows minor roads through rural landscapes. The route climbs gently and gradually, without major gradients or technical difficulties. Traffic is light for most of the stage, making for a peaceful ride through small rural settlements and agricultural areas. Road surfaces and traffic conditions may change, so check conditions before setting out.
Feria del Ajo and water management
The Feria del Ajo takes place on 18 July and has been celebrated for more than 700 years. The programme may vary from year to year; if you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the dates and programme for your travel year. Visitors were able to buy enough garlic to last the whole year; this option was also included in the 2023 programme.
Another local connection is irrigation: in Santa Marina del Rey, the waters of the Órbigo are used for irrigation via the Presa Cerrajera. Together with the festival, this connection to water reveals another side of the town, distinct from its church and pilgrimage history.
Discover more destinations: Reliegos, Balouta, Brazuelo, Cubillos Del Sil, Ponferrada, Santa Cruz de Montes, Montealegre, Soto Y Amío.
For the broader travel overview: León.
