Mogrovejo

Site of Cultural Interest: 1985

Approach

By car, you will need to take exit 272 off the N-621 (Unquera/Panes/Potes/Picos de Europa National Park) and continue onto the CA-185 road that goes from Potes to Fuente Dé.

Period

The oldest preserved building is the tower from the late 13th century. The church is likely from the 17th century, the large traditional houses (‘casonas’) are from the 17th and 18th centuries, and the vernacular architecture extends to contemporary times.

Descripción

Mogrovejo is a small village situated in the municipality of Camaleño, on a very commanding high point. It preserves an important collection of traditional Lebaniegan houses and some unique buildings, among which the medieval tower stands out. The medieval tower dates from the late 13th century, has a square floor plan, and is topped by square battlements. Various buildings were constructed around the tower, some of them in ruins, among which the adjacent manor house stands out, which was remodeled in the 19th century, with a rectangular-plan chapel featuring an interesting Baroque altarpiece. Another unique building is the parish church, probably from the 17th century, which has a rectangular nave covered by ribbed vaults. It has a Baroque altarpiece with the coats of arms of the Mogrovejo family, highlighting a sculpture of a Flemish Virgin from the late 15th century. Furthermore, some large traditional houses are preserved, among which that of Vicente de Celis stands out, bearing the coat of arms of the Estrada family, from the 16th century. The traditional houses are of the Lebaniegan type, with the upper floor frequently open to the exterior and walls made of interwoven branches, covered with a mud coating that defines a space generally used as a hayloft; some of them have access to the second floor via an exterior staircase (patín), of Asturian influence. Regarding other types of popular constructions, it is worth noting the appearance of several semicircular bread ovens and a raised granary (hórreo).

In 2020, Mogrovejo was included in the list of the Most Beautiful Villages in Spain.

Features

The most outstanding elements are made in the style of other places in the region. The vernacular architecture is typical of the area, with the upper floor featuring constructions of rods joined by a mud plaster.