Soria, town by town: Valdelagua del Cerro

Valdelagua del Cerro is a small town in Soria, 55 km approx. from the capital, located in the region of Moncayo.

History

It is a population of uncertain origin, linked to the development of sheep farming in the Castile of the Late Middle Ages and possible military point.

Valdelagua del Cerro boasts a strategic position on top of a beautiful hill. This position makes it extremely beautiful and privileged, since from the town the view is unparalleled and worthy of any visitor in search of beauty.

Like the rest of depopulated Spain, it lacks services, but stable neighbors such as occasional ones strive to maintain the best conditions of habitability and coexistence by promoting a tourism that values and enjoys nature, tranquility, the beauty of the simple and, at the same time, immense.

It currently has 12 inhabitants, although weekends tend to be more and in summer it can even reach more than 300.

One of the most characteristic aspects of the village is the construction of its houses, whose walls are built with the surrounding stones. This circumstance and the skill of the "pareteros" make their walls of perfect verticality, firmness and alignment. Too bad it is a constructive way destined to disappear.

Fauna and flora

The climate is conditioned by its altitude. Nothing more and nothing less, than 1,095 m. above sea level.

Regarding the flora, holm oak forests and some centenary oak groves worth seeing and photographing predominate.

As for the larger fauna, roe deer abound and deer and wild boar are also frequently observed. The minor fauna is more varied, we can appreciate weasels, moles, lizards, foxes, badgers …

The birds are very diverse, goldfinches, bee-eaters, white-necks, blackbirds, quails, as well as a multitude of raptors.

Sheep farming is linked to the origin of the population, whose numerous corralizas, now ruinous, leave evidence of the livestock wealth of the place, complemented by cereal farming and some legumes.

Today…

As in many other places in Castile, its population, to a large extent, emigrated in the mid-twentieth century, although, in recent years, it has become a place of rest and vacation, especially in summer.

Its patron saint festivities are celebrated in honor of Santa María Magdalena, during the third week of August, carrying out a large number of activities whose protagonist is its great festive spirit.

It should also be noted that, during the rest of the year, a considerable number of activities are carried out that make the town lively almost all year round. The Cross of Valdelagua del Cerro deserves special attention in this section.

What to see in Valdelagua?

As we have said, the landscape is unmatched, but in addition to that, touring the town we find the parish church of Santa María Magdalena, built in the shelter of an important economic and social development of old Castile at the beginning of the Renaissance. Inside, the main altarpiece stands out, presided over by a carving of the Magdalena, in Romanist style. The large canvases of St. Peter and St. Paul are also striking. One of the canvases on the bench depicts the adoration of the Magi and is painted imitating the canvases of Georges de la Tour. We can also admire four other altarpieces of the eighteenth century.

In the lower part of the village we find "The hermitage of Los Santos". Dating from the eighteenth century, also known as the hermitage of San Roque and San Sebastián. Simple in appearance, but with an interesting altarpiece in which the images of San Roque and San Sebastián stand out. They were made by a sculptor of great artistic gifts, leaving the Baroque style in its maximum splendor.

Currently the hermitage is topical, since it will be located a craft beer factory, made 100% with product of the municipality.

As for infrastructures designed for visitors, there is a motorhome parking. It has everything you need such as water, access to electricity for recharging, grey water emptying, electric refueling, playground and barbecue.

Once there, the visitor can enjoy different walks indicated, such as "to the Alto de la Bandera", "to the Alhama River", to "the Fountain of the House", usual walks among the locals, in which they can enjoy its views, flora and fauna.

And to end the day, we can recover strength and comfort ourselves in its tavern, meeting place and social relationship, where there will be a cordial welcome and we can take advantage to make a purchase of basic or local products, such as your honey.

Many thanks to Agueda Maiza for describing her town!

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