The town of Potes is located at the confluence of four valleys, near where the River Quiviesa flows in the River Deva, the latter born at altitudes of the Picos de Europa. Like the rest of the Liébana region, Potes enjoys a Mediterranean microclimate that allows the cultivation of the vines, walnut and poplar. Overlooking the town is Arabedes mountain (694m).
Historyedit
Potes is located at a strategic point where the two rivers of Liébana meet: the Deva and its tributary the Quiviesa. There is little trace of prehistoric occupation in the region, but the Romans named it Pontes. A village was founded in the 8th century under Alfonso I of Asturias. Potes appeared for the first time in a document written in 847; the document mentions the parish church and the town. Later in the 10th century, Potes became the administrative centre of the Comarca of Liébana. Potes was considered a city from the 13th century and received royal recognition.
In the Becerro de las Behetrías de Castilla manuscript (1351), Potes appears as the property of Tello Alfonso, son of Alfonso XI of Castile. During the late Middle Ages, like all of Liébana, the town was involved in the confrontation between the families of Manrique Castañeda and Mendoza. In 1444, John II of Castile resolved the issue in favour of the Marquis of Santillana. The Marquis made Potes the capital of Liebana, and erected a large tower, called the Torre del Infantado. In this same period, other prominent buildings, such as the nearby Tower of Orejón de la Lama and the San Cayetano bridge were built.
In the modern age, Potes remained a place of manorialism. The Duke of Infantado appointed its mayor. Many villagers emigrated to America and the riches of the new continent allowed the construction of notable buildings in the village. In 1822, Potes received its own town council, being head of a judicial district covering Potes, Castro and Cillorigo, Cabezón de Liébana, Camaleño, Espinama, Pesaguero, Tresviso and Vega de Liébana. Thirty years later, it was incorporated into the judicial district of San Vicente de la Barquera.
During the Spanish Civil War, Potes was hit by a fire caused by the Republican side that destroyed the old town, it was rebuilt afterwards. The old town was classified as a Conjunto Histórico in 1983.
Economy and infrastructureedit
The main source of income is from tourism due to its location in the Picos de Europa. Potes is on the national road N-621. The nearest major town, Santander, is 100 km away.
Sites and monumentsedit
Torre de Orejón de la Lama
The old town, a historical monument, is a maze of alleys and steps with a medieval atmosphere.[citation needed]
It is dominated by the Torre del Infantado, a symbol of Potes, built in the 15th century. It has four floors and forms an imposing stone cube, only relieved by turrets.[tone] The tower now houses the City Council.
The old gothic church of San Vicente was built in 15th century and rebuilt from the late 15th century to 17th century, it was replaced in the 19th century by the new parish church of San Vicente. This has 18th-century altarpieces from the Convent of San Raimundo and a sculpture of Saint Vincent, patron saint of the city. In the square is a monument to the violinist Jesús de Monasterio who was a native of Potes.
The nearby Bridge of San Cayetano overlooks the Rio Quiviesa since the 13th century. At one end is the Ermita de San Cayetano, a chapel which retains its wooden doors and an altarpiece of the 18th century with a portrait of San Cayetano and the Torre de Orejón de la Lama, built from the 15th century to the 17th century and has on its front the shields of Celis and Bedoya. It now serves as a centre for exhibitions and cultural events.
Other houses, the Casona de la Canal (18th century), the Torre de la Familia Osorio (17th century) and the 18th century San Marcial Street, bears the arms of the family Campillo and birthplace of Jesus Monasterio, dating from the same period.
The Ermita de la Virgen del Camino is a chapel of the 18th century in the district of la Serna, it has an altarpiece of the same century. The Convent of San Raimundo was built in the early 17th century by the Benedictines. It remains today as the cloister which houses an exhibition on the Picos de Europa and Comarca of Liébana.
The Ermita de la Virgen de Valmayor, located outside the village, on the road to Vega de Liebana is a chapel built in the 16th century. The altarpiece of the 18th century with the image of the Virgin of Valmayor. This image is carried every 15 August during a procession.
Demographicsedit
Historical population
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1900
1,241
—
1910
1,336
+0.74%
1920
1,139
−1.58%
1930
1,208
+0.59%
1940
1,239
+0.25%
1950
1,434
+1.47%
1960
1,364
−0.50%
Year
Pop.
±% p.a.
1970
1,206
−1.22%
1980
1,444
+1.82%
1990
1,475
+0.21%
2001
1,557
+0.49%
2011
1,476
−0.53%
2018
1,350
−1.27%
Administrationedit
Torre del Infantado
Francisco Javier Gomez Ruiz (PP) is the current mayor of the municipality. The following tables show the results of the elections held in 2003 and 2007.[2]
Alcalde elected: Alfonso Gutiérrez Cuevas (PP) (Died on 17 October 2007, succeeded by Francisco Javier Gómez Ruiz (PP)).
Cuisineedit
The best known dish from Potes is the chickpea stew Cocido Lebaniego. Other products from Potes, include various cheeses, honey and the grape brandy Orujo that is made from wine grown in the valley.
Festivals and eventsedit
Potes has regular religious processions:
23 January, the day of the martyr Saint Vincent, patron saint of Potes, and it is the occasion of traditional dances and festivities.
Early May, the Liébana is host to the procession of Santuca, one of the biggest in Spain. The statue of the Virgen de la Luz leaves the chapel to join Aniezo Santo Toribio de Liebana.
15 August, the procession of the Virgen de Valmayor is accompanied by dance, music and songs of the Middle Ages.
From 13 to 17 September, there is the festival of the Exaltation of the Cross (the Monastery Santo Toribio claims to retain a fragment of the True Cross). This holiday is declared to be of Regional Tourist Interest.
Non-religious, the Feast of the Orujo is also a major event, which takes place in November.
potes, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citation. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Potes news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations March 2023 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message Potes is a municipality in the autonomous community of Cantabria in Spain It is the capital of the Comarca of Liebana and is located in the centre of it It is bordered to the north by Cillorigo de Liebana to the west by Camaleno to the south by Vega de Liebana and to the east by Cabezon de Liebana PotesMunicipalityFlagCoat of armsPotesLocation of Potes in CantabriaShow map of CantabriaPotesLocation of Potes in SpainShow map of SpainCoordinates 43 9 13 N 4 37 24 W 43 15361 N 4 62333 W 43 15361 4 62333Country SpainAutonomous community CantabriaProvinceCantabriaComarcaLiebanaJudicial districtSan Vicente de la BarqueraGovernment AlcaldeFrancisco Javier Gomez Ruiz 2007 PP Area Total7 64 km2 2 95 sq mi Elevation291 m 955 ft Population 2018 1 Total1 350 Density180 km2 460 sq mi DemonymLebaniego aTime zoneUTC 1 CET Summer DST UTC 2 CEST Postal code39570Official language s SpanishWebsiteOfficial website Contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 Economy and infrastructure 4 Sites and monuments 5 Demographics 6 Administration 7 Cuisine 8 Festivals and events 9 References 10 External linksGeography edit nbsp River Quiviesa through San Cayetano bridgeThe town of Potes is located at the confluence of four valleys near where the River Quiviesa flows in the River Deva the latter born at altitudes of the Picos de Europa Like the rest of the Liebana region Potes enjoys a Mediterranean microclimate that allows the cultivation of the vines walnut and poplar Overlooking the town is Arabedes mountain 694m History editPotes is located at a strategic point where the two rivers of Liebana meet the Deva and its tributary the Quiviesa There is little trace of prehistoric occupation in the region but the Romans named it Pontes A village was founded in the 8th century under Alfonso I of Asturias Potes appeared for the first time in a document written in 847 the document mentions the parish church and the town Later in the 10th century Potes became the administrative centre of the Comarca of Liebana Potes was considered a city from the 13th century and received royal recognition In the Becerro de las Behetrias de Castilla manuscript 1351 Potes appears as the property of Tello Alfonso son of Alfonso XI of Castile During the late Middle Ages like all of Liebana the town was involved in the confrontation between the families of Manrique Castaneda and Mendoza In 1444 John II of Castile resolved the issue in favour of the Marquis of Santillana The Marquis made Potes the capital of Liebana and erected a large tower called the Torre del Infantado In this same period other prominent buildings such as the nearby Tower of Orejon de la Lama and the San Cayetano bridge were built In the modern age Potes remained a place of manorialism The Duke of Infantado appointed its mayor Many villagers emigrated to America and the riches of the new continent allowed the construction of notable buildings in the village In 1822 Potes received its own town council being head of a judicial district covering Potes Castro and Cillorigo Cabezon de Liebana Camaleno Espinama Pesaguero Tresviso and Vega de Liebana Thirty years later it was incorporated into the judicial district of San Vicente de la Barquera During the Spanish Civil War Potes was hit by a fire caused by the Republican side that destroyed the old town it was rebuilt afterwards The old town was classified as a Conjunto Historico in 1983 Economy and infrastructure editThe main source of income is from tourism due to its location in the Picos de Europa Potes is on the national road N 621 The nearest major town Santander is 100 km away Sites and monuments edit nbsp Torre de Orejon de la LamaThe old town a historical monument is a maze of alleys and steps with a medieval atmosphere citation needed It is dominated by the Torre del Infantado a symbol of Potes built in the 15th century It has four floors and forms an imposing stone cube only relieved by turrets tone The tower now houses the City Council The old gothic church of San Vicente was built in 15th century and rebuilt from the late 15th century to 17th century it was replaced in the 19th century by the new parish church of San Vicente This has 18th century altarpieces from the Convent of San Raimundo and a sculpture of Saint Vincent patron saint of the city In the square is a monument to the violinist Jesus de Monasterio who was a native of Potes The nearby Bridge of San Cayetano overlooks the Rio Quiviesa since the 13th century At one end is the Ermita de San Cayetano a chapel which retains its wooden doors and an altarpiece of the 18th century with a portrait of San Cayetano and the Torre de Orejon de la Lama built from the 15th century to the 17th century and has on its front the shields of Celis and Bedoya It now serves as a centre for exhibitions and cultural events Other houses the Casona de la Canal 18th century the Torre de la Familia Osorio 17th century and the 18th century San Marcial Street bears the arms of the family Campillo and birthplace of Jesus Monasterio dating from the same period The Ermita de la Virgen del Camino is a chapel of the 18th century in the district of la Serna it has an altarpiece of the same century The Convent of San Raimundo was built in the early 17th century by the Benedictines It remains today as the cloister which houses an exhibition on the Picos de Europa and Comarca of Liebana The Ermita de la Virgen de Valmayor located outside the village on the road to Vega de Liebana is a chapel built in the 16th century The altarpiece of the 18th century with the image of the Virgin of Valmayor This image is carried every 15 August during a procession Demographics editHistorical populationYearPop p a 19001 241 19101 336 0 74 19201 139 1 58 19301 208 0 59 19401 239 0 25 19501 434 1 47 19601 364 0 50 YearPop p a 19701 206 1 22 19801 444 1 82 19901 475 0 21 20011 557 0 49 20111 476 0 53 20181 350 1 27 Administration edit nbsp Torre del InfantadoFrancisco Javier Gomez Ruiz PP is the current mayor of the municipality The following tables show the results of the elections held in 2003 and 2007 2 Municipal elections 25 May 2003Party Votes CouncillorsPP 573 54 8 5PSOE 234 22 4 2PRC 226 21 6 2Alcalde elected Alfonso Gutierrez Cuevas PP Municipal elections 27 May 2007Party Votes CouncillorsPP 531 54 6 5PRC 230 23 6 2PSOE 185 19 0 2Alcalde elected Alfonso Gutierrez Cuevas PP Died on 17 October 2007 succeeded by Francisco Javier Gomez Ruiz PP Cuisine editThe best known dish from Potes is the chickpea stew Cocido Lebaniego Other products from Potes include various cheeses honey and the grape brandy Orujo that is made from wine grown in the valley Festivals and events editPotes has regular religious processions 23 January the day of the martyr Saint Vincent patron saint of Potes and it is the occasion of traditional dances and festivities Early May the Liebana is host to the procession of Santuca one of the biggest in Spain The statue of the Virgen de la Luz leaves the chapel to join Aniezo Santo Toribio de Liebana 15 August the procession of the Virgen de Valmayor is accompanied by dance music and songs of the Middle Ages From 13 to 17 September there is the festival of the Exaltation of the Cross the Monastery Santo Toribio claims to retain a fragment of the True Cross This holiday is declared to be of Regional Tourist Interest Non religious the Feast of the Orujo is also a major event which takes place in November References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Potes Municipal Register of Spain 2018 National Statistics Institute Potes election results from El Pais in Spanish External links editOfficial website Potes Cantabria 102 Municipios Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Potes amp oldid 1175411460, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
