Torre de Berdeja

Torre de Berdeja is a medieval defensive tower in Linares, in the municipality of Peñarrubia in Cantabria, standing at roughly 500 metres above sea level in the area known as Barrio del Cotero.

What remains of the tower today?

Of the original rectangular structure, measuring around 8 by 7.5 metres, only the foundations and the lower sections of two walls survive. Builders used rough sandstone rubble masonry for the main walls, while the foundations and corner stones were cut from dressed sandstone blocks. Unlike the better-preserved Torre del Pontón nearby, Berdeja has come down to us as a ruin: once it fell out of use, likely during the 16th century, its stone was gradually carried off to build houses in the neighbouring settlements of Navedo and Linares.

What role did it once play?

The tower formed part of the defensive and prestige network of the lordship of Linares, alongside the towers of Piedrahita and Torre del Pontón de Linares. Together they controlled the passage between the Desfiladero de la Hermida gorge and the Collado de Hoz pass, the historic route linking the Deva valley in the Liébana region with the Nansa valley. That position let the local lords oversee the movement of people and goods through this mountainous corner of Cantabria, a pattern typical of medieval defensive settlement across the region.

How do you get there?

Torre de Berdeja stands in Linares, the main village of the municipality of Peñarrubia, right at the heart of the Desfiladero de la Hermida — Spain's longest gorge, running for more than 20 kilometres and carved by the Deva River between limestone walls reaching up to 600 metres. The municipality sits on the natural route connecting the Liébana region with the Nansa valley, making it a logical stop for anyone travelling deeper into Cantabria.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

In Linares itself, the better-preserved Torre de Linares is worth a look — a square tower with remnants of its battlements, partly covered in ivy. The Torre del Pontón stands close by too. A little further on, in the village of La Hermida, a spa has drawn visitors since the 19th century for its thermal waters, which emerge at temperatures above 60 degrees Celsius. Hikers can follow the Senda Mitológica del Monte Hozarco, an easy trail of around three kilometres that leads to the Mirador de Santa Catalina viewpoint, dotted with references to Cantabrian mythology along the way and offering sweeping views over the gorge.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the mountainous, gorge-bound setting, spring and autumn are the most rewarding seasons — temperatures suit walking, and the gorge takes on particularly striking colours in the shifting light. Summer also draws visitors, largely thanks to the spa at La Hermida.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there more left of Torre de Berdeja than just the foundations? No — only the foundations and the start of two walls survive; the rest was dismantled over time and reused as building material for nearby houses.

Are there other towers worth visiting nearby? Yes, Linares is home to the better-preserved Torre de Linares and the Torre del Pontón, both part of the same medieval defensive network.

What was the tower's original purpose? It controlled the strategic passage between the Desfiladero de la Hermida gorge and the Collado de Hoz pass, linking the Deva valley (Liébana) with the Nansa valley.

What else should visitors see in the Peñarrubia municipality? The Desfiladero de la Hermida gorge itself, the spa village of La Hermida, and the Mirador de Santa Catalina viewpoint, reached via the Senda Mitológica del Monte Hozarco trail.