The park honors the 'Mina Pepita,' which was a significant iron ore extraction site in the municipality of Medio Cudeyo during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The sculptures are carved from local wood and designed to emerge naturally from the wooded environment.
The Ojáncano, a central figure in the park, is a cyclopean giant from Cantabrian mythology known for its immense strength and destructive tendencies.
The park acts as an open-air museum for Cantabrian 'mitos' (myths), which are a distinct sub-genre of Northern Spanish folklore.
Mitológico Mina Pepita Park is an outdoor interpretive space in Solares, Cantabria, dedicated to the creatures of Cantabrian folklore. The park is built on the grounds of the former Mina Pepita iron mine, integrating local industrial history with cultural heritage. Visitors follow a trail featuring large wooden sculptures representing mythological beings such as the Ojáncano, the Musgoso, and the Trenti. Interpretive panels along the path provide educational context about each creature's role in regional oral traditions. The site serves as both a botanical space and a thematic educational experience for families. It preserves remnants of the original mining landscape while blending them with forest vegetation.
The clearing featuring the life-sized statue of the Ojáncano, which offers the most dramatic scale for photography.
Wear sturdy walking shoes as the terrain follows repurposed paths from the old mining site.
Bring insect repellent, as the forested area is prone to mosquitoes during humid months.
Read the interpretive signage sequentially to understand how each creature relates to the natural history of the Cantabrian forest.
Do not attempt to climb or sit on the wooden mythological sculptures, as they are aged outdoor installations.
Stay on marked trails to avoid damaging the site's environmental restoration and keep dogs on a leash.
