Carrejo: Historic Buildings and Milling History

Carrejo is shaped by historic houses and palaces, the nature museum in the Casona, and the history of the Molino de Carrejo. Local festivals and the museum’s nature themes complete the picture of the town.

Museum and Casona de Carrejo

The Museo de la Naturaleza de Cantabria is housed in the Casona de Carrejo, which probably dates back to the 18th century. Since December 1984, the building has been protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural. The museum presents Cantabria’s diverse landscapes and ecosystems in an engaging, educational way. Its perspective therefore extends beyond the town’s surroundings to explore the region’s natural environment.

You must book dates and times in advance for guided tours. Check the details on the official museum website before your trip. The museum has a lift and facilities for people with reduced mobility. If these facilities are important for your visit, confirm the details in advance.

Historic architecture in the town

The Palacio de Igareda y Balbás has a portal with attached pilasters and a large coat of arms. Five round arches rest on prismatic pillars, and there is also a large balcony in the form of a solana. These details give the palace a distinctive architectural profile. A walk through the streets also offers the chance to see numerous well-preserved traditional houses and palaces.

The chapels also display different architectural styles: the restored Ermita del Ángel is a square 18th-century chapel built of rubble masonry and dressed stone. The Ermita-Humilladero del Angel features a folk-style altarpiece. Along with the houses and palaces, these buildings broaden the view beyond the individual palace to take in Carrejo’s varied historic architecture.

Milling history and local festivals

El Molino in Carrejo is a historic building of ethnographic significance, also known as Casa Comillana. The water-powered grain mill is thought to date from the 18th century; historically, it was used to grind corn and other grains. Its milling machinery and tools have been preserved, including two mill wheels, hoppers and drawers for collecting the ground flour.

Recurring festivals also shape the year. At the end of June, Carrejo and Santibáñez celebrate the San Pedro festival with a procession in honor of the saint and a Baile de Picayos. The Fiesta de la Patata takes place in Carrejo on the last Friday in August. A tortilla competition is followed by the burning of the “Patatu.” The annual program may vary in detail; check the specific dates before your trip.

Landscape along the Senda del Minchón

Along the Senda del Minchón, a wooden footbridge over the river connects the municipalities of Cabezón de la Sal and Mazcuerras. Along the route, hay meadows used for grazing cattle alternate with vegetable gardens and plots of land with fruit trees; the Sierra del Escudo de Cabuérniga can be seen in the background. Grey herons (Ardea cinerea) and mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are often spotted along this section. While the museum explores Cantabria’s landscapes and ecosystems as its theme, the Senda offers views of specific landscape features and opportunities for birdwatching.

Carrejo can be reached on foot or by bicycle from Cabezón, Santibáñez, Vernejo and Ontoria. This means that, alongside historic buildings, local traditions and a range of nature-related attractions are also available when planning a trip.

Discover more destinations: Cabrojo

Return to the main travel guide: Cabezón De La Sal.