CASTRODEZA AND ITS HISTORY.-

Castrodeza is a village in the province of Valladolid, situated inside the páramo (a flat, scarcely populated portion of land in a high plateau) known as Montes Torozos. It is approximately 21 Km away from Valladolid and owes its name to an ancient celtiberic settlement belonging to the tribe of the vacceos.

The landscape of this area is the usual in the páramos, although crossed by a stream called the Hontanija. Nowadays it hardly carries any water at all, but this wasn’t always the case, as the remains of water mills on its shores can testify. One of those mills is currently under restoration.

One of the places with whom locals feel more identified is a small mount called “El Cueto”. It is no more than a hill, but its presence dominates the valley where the village is situated. On its sides lay several land plots cultivated with cereals. On cold, snowy winters, this mount gets covered by a beautiful white layer of snow that delights children of all ages.

The church is consecrated to the Virgin of the O. Placed at the top of the village, it dominates its silhouette. Among its architectural highlights, it is worth mentioning the door on the Gospel side. The altarpiece is in rococo style and at its top we can contemplate the Archangel St. Michael, in whose honour the village’s main festivities are held in May.

It is precisely during these days that Castrodeza gets back the splendour that it had in other times. Many people come to the place, not only those born here but also people from the surrounding towns, attracted by the famous Procession that goes along the main streets, beautifully carpeted with flowers and in whose elaboration every neighbour participates.

Castrodeza is also experiencing transformations lately, in the same way as other towns and villages in the surrounding areas, with tourism development through Rural Houses (small hotels retaining local flavour). There is currently one that is fully operational and a second one is being built, which will probably open its doors at some moment during next autumn.

Another interesting fact about the village is the existence of small, artisan enterprises mainly related to agriculture and food. It is worth mention a bakery where traditional products from this part of the Montes Torozos and Hornija Valley are elaborated.