Ayuntamiento de Medina de Pomar

The Ayuntamiento de Medina de Pomar is the town hall of Medina de Pomar, capital of the Las Merindades region in the province of Burgos, Castile and León. The building stands on the north side of Plaza Mayor (also known as Plaza Juan Francisco Bustamante), the town's main square lined with stone houses featuring arcades and wooden balconies. It makes a natural starting point for exploring the historic centre of Medina de Pomar.

How to get there?

Medina de Pomar lies roughly 80 km north of the city of Burgos, close to the border with Cantabria, along the main roads connecting Las Merindades with the rest of the province. The town hall sits right in the heart of the old town, at Plaza Mayor 1, so arriving by car and parking near the square is the easiest option — the historic centre is compact and walkable from there.

What will you see?

The town hall building (Casa Consistorial) dates from 1898. Its façade blends in with the neighbouring houses on the square — a stone ground floor with arcades and upper storeys with balconies. Inside, the highlight is the Salón de Plenos, the council chamber decorated with regionalist paintings that draw on local tradition and the history of Las Merindades.

Streets fanning out from Plaza Mayor lead to the town's main landmarks. A few hundred metres away stands the Alcázar de los Velasco, a 14th-century fortress built by Pedro Fernández de Velasco, now home to the Museo Histórico de las Merindades, which traces the history and heritage of the whole region. Nearby survives the church of Santa Cruz, blending Romanesque and Gothic elements and built against the old defensive wall, along with remnants of the former Jewish quarter, marked by the Arco de la Cadena and the Arco de la Judería.

Medina de Pomar was granted the title of Ciudad by royal decree in 1894, and its roots go back to 1202, when Alfonso VIII resettled the area. From the 14th century, after Enrique II de Trastámara granted the town to the Velasco family, the Constables of Castile made Medina de Pomar the centre of their domain — which explains the density of monuments within a few hundred metres of the town hall.

When to visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October) are the best times, when temperatures across Las Merindades are mild and the surrounding green hills and the Trueba river look their best. Summer can get warm, but it is also when the town hall hosts local festivals and cultural events on Plaza Mayor. Winters bring the cold typical of northern Castile.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the town hall? Access to the interior, including the Salón de Plenos, depends on office hours and the council's meeting schedule — check current details locally or at the tourist information point before visiting.

How long does it take to see the centre of Medina de Pomar? Walking around Plaza Mayor, the Alcázar and the nearest landmarks usually takes 2–3 hours, longer if you also visit the Museo Histórico de las Merindades.

What else is worth seeing near the town hall? Within a few hundred metres you'll find the Alcázar de los Velasco, the church of Santa Cruz, and remains of the old town walls and Jewish quarter.

Is Medina de Pomar a good base for exploring Las Merindades? Yes — the town is the region's capital and a convenient starting point for trips around Las Merindades, an area known for its landscapes, gorges and rural tourism.