Perrozo: Hiking and Romanesque Heritage

Perrozo offers a clear reason to include nature and architectural history together in your travel plans. Highlights include a described circular hiking route, the Church of the Assumption, and historical connections dating back to the Middle Ages. If you are looking for a hotel in Perrozo, these points of interest can provide a starting point: consider whether you want to set aside most of your time for a longer hike or for the architecture and history of the village.

Location and Landscape

Perrozo lies on the left bank of the Lamedo River, a tributary of the Bullón. Two very old olive trees stand beside the entrance to the Church of the Assumption. From Perrozo, there are panoramic views of the eastern massif of the Picos de Europa. The river, old trees, and mountain views offer different insights into the landscape and character of the village. Alongside the hiking routes, you will also find specific landmarks to shape a trip focused on the village and its surroundings.

Hiking Routes and Choosing a Route

A 2018 project description gives the PR-S XX “Entre Perrozo y Lerones” hiking route as a 12.5 km circular trail starting and ending in Perrozo. The entire route is classified as a Site of Community Importance (SCI). The description gives the surface breakdown as approximately 3.3 km of cart track, 8.1 km of trail, and 1.1 km of road. The stated walking time is 4 hours and 40 minutes in either direction. The circular layout, distance, terrain, and walking time give you concrete points to consider when planning your day. Check the current waymarking before setting out.

A route recorded in July 2022 runs in a straight line from Lerones to Perrozo. It passes through holm oak and oak woodland and ends at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption. Unlike the circular route, this one focuses on the linear route, the woodland, and the destination. Trail and woodland conditions can change; check current conditions before setting out.

The Church and Its Romanesque Details

The Church of the Assumption has Romanesque origins, dated to the late 12th or early 13th century. Its entrance portal is Romanesque and framed by an alfiz with a pointed arch. The decorated archivolts and capitals bear unusual figures. Above the south door is a round stone lattice with a carved border, an S-shaped stem with an ivy leaf, and an openwork rosette with six or seven petals.

The lattice in Perrozo is a plaster cast; the original is said to be kept at the Diocesan Museum in Santillana. Verify this information before planning a museum visit. The church also contains a hemispherical Romanesque baptismal font. It measures 81 cm in diameter and 73 cm in height, excluding the base in both measurements. The portal, lattice, and baptismal font offer different concrete points of reference for understanding the village’s Romanesque architectural history.

Monastic History and La Torre

The former Monastery of Santa María de Perrozo is documented from the 11th century and stood on the site of today’s parish church. A donation is recorded for 1030: Munio Alfonso, Count of Liébana, donated the Monastery of Santa María and Santiago de Perrozo to Abbess Fronilde of Piasca. This medieval connection adds an earlier layer of local history to the church’s Romanesque story.

La Torre de Perrozo represents a later period of architectural history. The former manor house dates from the 18th century. It was completely restored in 1998, preserving the traditional Lebaniego architecture, with its characteristic use of stone and oak wood. The church, the monastery connection, and the manor house differ in age and architectural history, offering several perspectives on Perrozo’s built heritage.

Getting to Perrozo

The road to Perrozo is the CA-871. It branches off opposite Piasca from the CA-184 between Ojedo and Piedrasluengas. Check local road conditions before driving. This road information can help you plan your journey; when choosing a hotel, you can also consider whether hiking or the architectural and local history is more important to your trip.

Discover more destinations: Cambarco, Frama.

Back to the main travel overview: Cabezón De Liébana.