Church of Santa Juliana, La Fuente

The Church of Santa Juliana sits at the entrance to the village of La Fuente (Lafuente), part of the municipality of Lamasón in Cantabria, right on the road connecting Puentenansa with La Hermida in the neighbouring municipality of Peñarrubia. This modest rural Romanesque church is considered the only surviving example of Romanesque architecture in the entire Nansa valley, which alone makes it a notable landmark in a region otherwise shaped by later building styles.

How old is the church?

Art historians place the construction between the late 12th and early 13th centuries, basing the dating on carved details of the portal and capitals. Despite its plain, rough-hewn character typical of rural religious building from that era, the church has kept a legible architectural layout and a surprisingly rich carved entrance. In 1983 the building was granted protected heritage status, formally recognising its value as a regional monument.

What does the church look like architecturally?

The structure follows a simple single-nave plan closed by a semicircular apse, decorated with attached colonnettes and carefully carved capitals. The real highlight, however, is the entrance portal: five archivolts with a slightly pointed, splayed profile, resting on colonnettes topped with capitals carved with geometric and figurative motifs. This is where the skill of the local stonemasons shows most clearly, despite the limited resources available to the builders.

What is worth seeing inside?

Inside, one capital stands out in particular — known as the capital of the Three Kings (or Magi), located on the left side of the triumphal arch. Its carving style echoes the Romanesque tradition associated with the Palencia region, hinting at an exchange of artistic patterns between different areas of northern Spain during the Romanesque period. For visitors interested in religious architecture, this is one of the most rewarding details in the whole building and deserves a close look in good light.

How do you get to the church?

The church stands directly on the road running from Puentenansa toward La Hermida, level with the village of La Fuente, within the municipality of Lamasón. The surrounding area is rural, framed by the mountains and pastures typical of the Nansa valley, so a visit pairs well with exploring other villages in the same municipality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Church of Santa Juliana the only Romanesque monument in the Nansa valley? Yes, based on available records it is the only surviving example of Romanesque architecture in this part of Cantabria, making it a local rarity.

When did the church receive heritage protection? It was listed as a cultural heritage site in 1983.

What is the most distinctive feature of the building? The entrance portal with its five carved archivolts resting on decorated capitals, and inside, the capital depicting the Three Kings.

Where exactly is the church located? At the entrance to the village of La Fuente, on the road between Puentenansa and La Hermida, in the municipality of Lamasón, Cantabria.