Potes, Cantabria

POTES, CANTABRIA

The population of Potes is located in the center of the Comarca of Liébana, where the rivers Deva and Quiviesa meet. Surrounded by a spectacular landscape and situated at the confluence of the four valleys of the Comarca. From the middle of the ninth century and from the final years of the Middle Ages it was linked to the House of the Marqués de Santillana, first, and to the Infantado, later. Potes is known as the city of bridges (hence its name) and of the towers . In a special way they emphasize the Infantado Palace (today the seat of exhibitions) and the Orejón de la Lama, both from the fifteenth century. The set of neighborhoods in the old part retains a great popular flavor and much charm; its alleyways and mansions (most with coats of arms) helps the visitor to imagine the past times full of history.

FIESTA DEL ORUJO IN POTES (CANTABRIA)

Each year, during the second weekend of November , the Fiesta del Orujo takes place in Potes (Cantabria), one of these annual autumn dates that is always worth attending. In this setting between mountains, capital of the comarca of Liébana, festivities are held approximately with the orujo as main

protagonist. It is a celebration full of events to give value to a liquor so proper of the region as is the Orujo. The Fiesta del Orujo in Potes, has its origin in the year 1984 when the organizing committee of the Fiesta del Aguardiente wanted to explain and make known the complex process of elaboration of the Orujo of Liébana. They also wanted to emphasize that to develop the Cantabrian Orujo they used alembics instead of stills as in the Galician orujo. The meaning of the fiesta del Orujo consists in public distillation and later tasting of the Orujo, in the streets of Potes.

The Orujo is made from the skins of grapes that are fermented and later distilled . All the Orujo that is distilled during the feast should be consumed during the feast. In its program, which begins Friday afternoon and ends on Sunday night, are offered activities such as parades, concerts, parades of folkloric groups and gastronomic tastings, tastings of Orujo, commented tastings , cooking workshops and acrobatic cocktail bar with orujos of Liébana.

With all of this, the Fiesta del Orujo, declared a Fiesta of National Tourist Interest in the year 2012, is a perfect date to know the historic village of Potes. “The Village of the bridges and towers” stands out for its history and gastronomy. The greatest milestones to be seen in Potes are the Torre del Infantado, the Church of San Vicente and its numerous bridges. To see them one morning is enough, although to relax and live its isolated environment requires more days. As well, the ideal is to immerse yourself in the natural paradise of the Picos de Europa National Park. A number of remains found testify to the fact that the territory was inhabited in prehistoric times. The Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs also left their footprints.

After the Reconquest, the chronicle Alfonso III (c. 848-910), last king of Asturias and first one of León, mentions the repopulation which took place in the eighth century. It became the county administrative center in the tenth century and will soon begin to stand out for its commercial activity. In 1808 Potes was the scene of hard struggles between the French and guerrillas of Liébana.

The brave Cantabrians came to reject the enemy up to sixteen times. The French general Mahy boasted having managed to dominate them. At the end of the nineteenth century, many locals emigrated to America .

Those who triumphed built important buildings in the village on their return, in a style known as architecture of Indians. In 1937, during the Civil War, Potes was affected by a fire that destroyed its historic old town. This would be rebuilt and is considered an Asset of Cultural Interest, with the category of Historical Quarter.