Ferrería de Cades
Water-powered ironworks and mill at Cades, in the Nansa valley, with guided visits in which the 18th-century machinery is set in motion.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
On the banks of the river Nansa, at Cades (Herrerías), stands the Ferrería de Cades, a pre-industrial installation for producing iron dating from 1752. It belongs to the type that predominated among Cantabrian ironworks: a sturdy rubble-stone building with two main naves connected to each other, which house the water-powered machinery, and four naves or charcoal stores attached transversally. Its large size and excellent hydraulic engineering make it one of the best of its kind.
The adjoining mill completes the rural complex. Water is diverted from the Nansa to drive the machinery of the ironworks and the mill and, at the end of the cycle, returns to the river. The Ferrería and the Molino de Cades are among the few water-powered mechanisms that can still be seen in operation today.
The Saja Nansa Rural Development Association recovered the complex as part of its work to rescue the heritage of the region, with the idea of showing it as if time had stopped. In the guided visit, lasting about an hour, the machines are set in motion and the importance of water in producing iron and flour is explained, along with the trades of ironworkers (ferrones) and millers. The centre is currently listed as temporarily closed for improvements to its facilities.
Highlights
- 1752 ironworks with water-powered machinery in operation
- Demonstration of the hammer and bellows during the guided visit
- Flour mill adjoining, driven by the water of the Nansa
- Trades of the 18th-century ironworkers and millers
Permanent exhibition
- Ferrería y molino en funcionamiento – Guided visit of the 18th-century ironworks and mill, with the water-powered machinery set in motion (temporarily closed).
- Operated by
- Asociación de Desarrollo Rural Saja Nansa
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €8.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6Groups (minimum 20 people), over-65s, unemployed people, students under 26 and children aged 5 to 16, with accreditation |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 4 · Reduced rate for ages 5 to 16, with accreditation. Under 5s do not pay but need a ticket. |
| Seniors | €6Reduced rate for over-65s. |
| Students & apprentices | €6Reduced rate for students under 26. |
| Groups (20+ people) | €6 per personReduced rate for groups of 20 or more people. |
| Free visit without demonstration | €4Only available when there is no guided visit. |
| School groups | €4.50 |
Rates for the “Ferrería y Molino – visita guiada con demostración de funcionamiento” service, in force since 1 January 2026. A ticket is required for all participants, including children under 5. Bookings remain pending confirmation until the minimum of four adults is reached for the same time slot.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The ironworks are at Cades, in the municipality of Herrerías, about 15 minutes from the Cueva del Soplao. From the A-8 motorway take exit 269 (Los Tánagos–Pesués–Puentenansa), then the N-634 and the CA-181 towards Puentenansa or El Soplao; after about 11 km, at the Puente El Arrudo, turn right onto the bridge and then left, and the ironworks are about 200 metres away.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography and filming are not permitted inside the premises. |
| Good to know | Pets are not admitted, except assistance dogs, and eating and drinking are not permitted inside the premises. The managing association reserves the right to change, cancel or alter the timing of the demonstrations. There is a specific offer for educational centres. |
