A warm, dry microclimate
Potes is the capital of Liébana, a district in the southwest of Cantabria located among diverse mountains massifs: the mountain ranges of Peña Sagra and Peña Labra, and the Picos de Europa, which is also a national park. Its unique location in this intersection of mountains, protected from the wet sea winds, has created a warm, dry microclimate that sets it apart from the rest of Cantabria.
Potes is one of the region’s most popular tourist destinations, with along tradition of rural tourism based on the attraction of its religious, civil and popular architectural heritage, its natural settings, gastronomy and unique traditions, which include the Jubileo Lebaniego (Papal Jubilee) of the Monastery of Santo Toribio.
PEAKS OF EUROPE
Access to this national park is via the narrow gorge of La Hermida. They are located in the region of Liébana, an area of traditional attraction thanks to the authentic way in which its towns and cities have been preserved.
For visitors there is a quite a wide range of tourist accommodation characterised by excellent quality and strong personality.
It has the Fuente De cable railway, an open door to nature that puts the traveller at an altitude of 1850 metres, crossing a slope of 750 metres, within the spectacular upper station that overlooks an exceptional panorama.
THE MONASTERY OF SANTO TORIBIO
The Monastery of Santo Toribio is located in the heart of the region of Liébana. The temple follows the monastic traditions of the Cistercian Gothic style.
In 1512, Pope Julius II granted a jubilee indulgence of one week to those who reached the sanctuary on the years when the festival of Santo Toribio fell on a Sunday. Four centuries later, its was Pope Paul IV, who extended the jubilee indulgence to every day of the year and Santo Toribio was granted the status of Holy Place, along with Jerusalem, Rome and Santiago de Compostela.
Each year thousands of pilgrims cross the "Gate of Pardon" in the Monastery to obtain the jubilee indulgence and enjoy concerts of classical, popular, folkloric and other genres of music, as well as theatrical performances, conferences, shows, festivals, street displays, etc., in addition to enjoying a route that passes through places of great natural, artistic and cultural beauty.
LIFE OF CONTEMPLATION
The monastery is surrounded by a group of minuscule chapels, some semi-caves, which the monks used to retire to in their penances and life of contemplation in the Middle Ages.
It is worth highlighting the Chapel of Santa María de Lebeña, Santa María la Real, Cueva Santa (Holy Cave), the Chapel of San Miguel, the Chapel of Santa Catalina, the chapel of San Juan de La Casería, the chapel of San Tirso and the Temple of San Sebastián de Ojedo.
TORRE DEL INFANTADO
Potes can trace its history to medieval times, specifically to the mind-ninth century, to the Casa del Marques de Santillana, which later became that of the Infantado.
The most symbolic building of the town is teh Torre del Infantado, a fiteenth-century medieval mansions of a square construction with an angular turret at each corner and finished with battlements.
CHURCH OF SAN VICENTE
Examples of its religious architecture include the two churches of San Vicente; the oldest of which dates back to the fourteenth century while construction on the most recent began at the end of the nineteenth.
Potes also has two small hermitages, typical of the entire district: the Virgen del Camino, furthest from the town centre, and the Virgen de Valmayor. Potes also has two small hermitages, typical of the entire district: the Virgen del Camino, furthest from the town centre, and the Virgen de Valmayor.
THE POPULAR WEEKLY MARKET
Monday is the town’s busiest day because it is the day of the popular weekly market, where people from all over the region come to the town to sell their wares.
Pulses, fruit, nuts and dried fruit, cured meats and cheese produced in the area can all be found at this market. Many of these products are the basic ingredients of the region’s most typical dish- the cocido lebaniego stew- which can be accompanied by the region’s typical orujo (a spirit made from grape pomace) or traditional herbal tea, Té del Puerto.
MANY GREAT TAVERNS
Among its mountain casonas, traditional coats of arms, and balconies, there are great many taverns, restaurants and bars, where residents and visitors come together to sample the traditional orujo lebaniego among other delights.
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