“Puentedey, Acclaimed as Spain’s Most Beautiful New Town”

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Out of the 22 audited cities, only Puentedey met the necessary requirements to become a part of this prestigious club, which already boasts 105 locations. This small village in the Las Merindades region has just over 50 residents and is situated on a natural stone bridge, sculpted by the Nela River over the past 90 million years.

Now, the locals have been responsible for passing down through generations the belief that this is the work of a deity, in fact, its very name means “God’s Bridge.” The Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain was established in 2011 as a result of the conviction and the need to inform everyone about the wonderful villages that dot the Spanish geography.

Their goal? “To promote small, preferably rural municipalities, united under the same quality brand, through promotional activities and cultural events undertaken by the association both inside and outside Spain.”

As a result, every year, the Association assesses various candidates from the list of the most beautiful villages in Spain, a list that began with 14 municipalities and now, with the inclusion of Puentedey, already comprises 105 locations.

This time, there were 22 municipalities that submitted their candidacy through their respective local councils. After being visited and audited by a quality commission throughout the year, only Puentedey (Burgos, Castilla y León) managed to meet the over 40 necessary criteria to become part of the network, considered one of the most prestigious tourism networks in Spain.

This commission takes into account aspects such as heritage preservation, municipal harmony, cleanliness, facade conservation, traffic management, care of flowers and green spaces, scheduled cultural activities, and attention to traditions, among many others.

“The level of demand to join the association is high; our goal is the quality of our towns, not the quantity. We aim to evoke emotions in our visitors, and this can only be achieved through harmonious urban planning, well-preserved material heritage, and high-quality intangible heritage,” said Francisco Mestre, the President of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, in an official statement.

“I want to welcome Puentedey (Burgos) to the club. They have been improving their infrastructure for several years to become members of the network, and they have finally been admitted. I am confident that their membership in our association will allow them to enter the top tier of tourism, which has been growing the most in recent years,” Mestre concluded.

Puentedey is located approximately 89 kilometers from Burgos and 12 kilometers from Villarcayo, the administrative capital of Merindad de Valdeporres. Its streets invite you to journey through the history of this town, which showcases many examples of traditional architecture typical of Las Merindades.

The beautiful medieval complex was built on the natural bridge formed by the Nela River, and one of the must-visit places is the San Pelayo Church, situated at the top of the town.

Among the Romanesque constructions – though featuring mixed styles, including elements of Gothic and later additions – the San Pelayo Church boasts a single limestone nave and side chapels, a rectangular apse, and at the base of the vault, it houses an ornamented impost adorned with checkered patterns, diamonds, and a wavy stem sheltering leaves.

One should not overlook the Fernández de Brizuela Palace, commissioned to be built by Francisco de Brizuela. It is fortified almost like a castle and was constructed between the 15th and 16th centuries, perched atop the highest point of Puentedey’s natural arch.

Puentedey has remained steadfast in its pursuit of cherishing all its attractions, seeking excellence, beauty, and its incorporation into the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain, which was finally granted this year, rewarding all the efforts made.

Some of the investments made by the municipality include the restoration of the old bread oven and the old mill, as well as the shoeing and a small bowling museum. They have also added new parking areas outside the town, a caravan area, and the new San Andrés viewpoint, suspended in the air, offering a less-known panoramic view of the town.

Another of its strong points is gastronomy, as Puentedey – and the entire region – is renowned for its quality products such as vegetables, lamb and goat meat, homemade bread, or “preñaos” rolls. Also highly coveted are the famous lamb dishes, black pudding, and Burgos cheese.

On its streets and surroundings, you can breathe tranquility, fresh air, and a peace interrupted only at the end of August because, during the last weekend of this month, the Cucaña festival is celebrated. During this festival, locals and visitors try to reach the flag at the top of a post, aiming to be crowned the king of the patron saint festivities.