Located in the TOBALINA VALLEYnortheast of the province of Burgos, Frías It is the smallest city in Spain, with only 270 inhabitants according to the latest data of the National Statistics Institute. Despite its small size, its patrimonial wealth and its privileged site in the region of Merindades They make it a unique place. Its cobbled streets, its medieval layout and the characteristics hung houses that challenge gravity create a stamp difficult to forget.
On the Cerro de la Muela, dominating the landscape, the castle of the Dukes of Frías stands, a fortress of the twelfth century that was key in the defense of the region. At his feet, the medieval bridge that crosses the Ebro River, with its imposing central tower, remembers the strategic importance of the city over the centuries. This monumental complex has led Frías to be recognized as a historical-artistic set, consolidating its cultural value within Castilla y León.
Beyond its impressive architecture, Frías is a destination that invites you to immerse yourself in history. From its natural viewpoints to its surroundings full of routes and trails, the city offers an experience that transports the visitor to another era. His combination of nature, medieval legacy and authenticity have made it an essential corner for those who seek the essence of historical Spain.
Medieval Frías Bridge
The Frías bridgeon the Ebro River, it is one of the most prominent monuments in the city. Although its origin is Roman, it was rebuilt in the Middle Ages and was part of an important commercial route between the plateau and the Cantabrian coast, connecting several locations.
This bridge was restored during the repopulation of the area by Alfonso VIII, when Frías became a market and capital center of the TOBALINA VALLEY. In the fourteenth century, a tower was added to the bridge, which served to collect the pontazing or toll, helping the maintenance of the structure.
The bridge is 143 meters long and nine arches. The central tower, pentagonal, has battlements and a snail staircase. It was built on Roman bases, adapting to the river rock, and today is one of the best examples of fortified bridges in Spain.
San Vicente Church
The San Vicente Church In Frías it is a building that combines several architectural styles. Although it is originally Romanesque, he suffered several reforms, especially after the fall of his tower in 1906. The original tower, square and defensive, was replaced by a new one.
Inside, the Church houses a valuable collection of religious art, including altarpieces and sculptures of the seventeenth century. The main altarpiece stands out for the figures of San Vicente, San José and San Sebastián, surrounded by Corinthian columns. There are also the altarpieces of loneliness and the Holy Christ of temptations, the latter with a baroque ornamentation.
The chapel of visitation is one of the most prominent aspects of this church. It was founded by Juan Sánchez de Ochandiano and his wife and has a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The altarpiece, the work of Juan de Burgundy, is known for its golden details and its green and blue colors, being a great example of the plateresque architecture of the time.
Castle of the Dukes of Frías
He Castle of the Dukes of Fríasof medieval origin, it is located in a rock that dominates the Tobalina Valley, giving it a great strategic advantage. He was reinforced in the twelfth century by King Alfonso VIII and, later, in the fifteenth century by Pedro Fernández de Velasco. Its high location and its defenses, such as the drawbridge and the ogival door, did it practically inaccessible.
The tribute tower is the most prominent element of the castle, and although it has original parts of the twelfth century, most of the structure data of the fifteenth century. In addition, the castle has walls with saeteras and an excavated pit in the rock, which made it even more difficult to invade.
The castle also retains artistic details, such as Romanesque capitals in residential areas, which show mythological scenes and knight figures. These elements and its imposing design make it one of the most important castles in the region.
The houses hanging
The cold houses They are built with toba and wood, taking full advantage of the limited space offered by ‘La Muela’, a large rock that forms the upper part of the city. These homes are located at the edges of the rock, which gives the impression that they are integrated with the precipice.
This type of construction is a clear example of how the city’s architecture adapts to the difficult and reduced land, which has led to the houses to develop both up and down, excavating directly in the Toba rock. Thus, homes often have more than two floors.
If the city is accessed by the south, you can enjoy impressive views of these hung houses, which are one of the most unique features of cold.
Other activities to enjoy your visit
In Frías, visitors can enjoy various outdoor activities, thanks to their privileged location and natural environment. One of the main activities is hiking, especially in Obarenes Montesthat extend as a great natural wall over the bureba.
These mountains offer an incredible variety of hiking routes, such as the one that runs through the Puron gorge, a beautiful landscape formed by the Purón River that crosses the Sierra de Arcena, offering impressive views of waterfalls and gorges. This tour, which was an important Roman route, is ideal for lovers of nature and hiking, since it has an extension of ten kilometers and is accessible to all levels.
In addition, cold spaces are perfect for bird observation. In areas such as SOBRON HOZvisitors can see a wide variety of species of raptors inhabit the cliffs. The area is also known for its rich flora, with species that combine Atlantic and Mediterranean characteristics due to its geographical location.
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