Calzada del Coto


Calzada del Coto is a village and municipality located in the southeast of the province of León, autonomous community of Castile and León. It belongs to the comarca of Tierra de Sahagún and the judicial district of Sahagún. According to the 2024 census, the municipality has a population of 223 inhabitants.
The municipality of Calzada del Coto is made up of two localities: Calzada del Coto and Codornillos, along with the abandoned settlements of Valdelaguna, Villarrubia, Parazuelo, Mahudes, and Valdelocajos.
Calzada del Coto lies in the Camino de Santiago, specifically by the French Way. It is located 5 kilometers after Sahagún, considered the half-way point between St. Jean Pied de Port and Santiago de Compostela. Once the locality is crossed, pilgrims can choose to follow the Camino Real to Bercianos del Real Camino or continue along the Via Trajana towards Calzadilla de los Hermanillos.
WWW aytocalzadadelcoto.es

Toponymy

Calzada del Coto derives its name from an original Roman road, with the surname reflecting its connection to the. Initially known as "Villa Zacarías," the name changed to "Villa Calzata" in the 11th century, highlighting the significance of the Roman road as part of the new pilgrimage route. The surname "del Coto" first appeared in 1333, indicating its role as the head of the Coto of the Sahagún Monastery. The etymology is Latin, with "calzada" coming from Vulgar Latin calciāta meaning "paved road," and "coto" from Latin cautus meaning "protected land." The area features a variety of place names of Roman origin, as well as Celtic pre-Roman names, along with Visigothic, Arabic and Leonese toponyms, reflecting its rich linguistic heritage. The demonym for residents is "cuqueto, -a," notable for its uniqueness compared to other populations also named Calzada.

History

Calzada del Coto has evidence of human occupation since prehistoric times, as indicated by findings such as Neolithic thunderstones and a Chalcolithic Palmela point, currently housed in the. During the pre-Roman period, it was inhabited by Celtic tribes, likely situated near the borders between the Astures and the Vaccaei. During the Roman period, the Trajan Way was constructed, which connected Zaragoza to Astorga and is still preserved in some sections. The proximity to this road facilitated the settlement of Roman colonists, highlighted by the existence of a Roman villa in Valdelaguna during the 2nd century AD. Calzada del Coto was part of several Roman provincial divisions, including Citerior, Tarraconensis, and Gallaecia, and was likely integrated into the Asturicense conventus iuridicus.
At the fall of the Roman Empire, Calzada del Coto was briefly under the control of the Suebi and later the Visigoth Kingdom until the Arab invasion in the 8th century. The establishment of Christianity in the region likely led to the construction of the original church of San Esteban in the 6th century. The first documentary mention of Calzada del Coto occurred in 880, and in 904, King Alfonso III donated the Villa Zacarías to the Royal Monastery of San Benito, linking Calzada to the monastery until the 19th-century Spanish confiscation. The 11th century was pivotal for Calzada, which became the administrative center of the Coto under [Alfonso VI of León, Spain|León and Castile|Alfonso VI of León], who enhanced the abbot's feudal power. The development of Sahagún before the 1085 fuero and the establishment of the Camino de Santiago changed Calzada.

Geography

The municipality of Calzada del Coto covers an area of 56.03 km2, it is located in the southeast of the province of León, within the Tierra de Sahagún comarca. It is situaded in the eastern part of the Páramo, separated from the Tierra de Campos region by the Cea River. The terrain is characterized by a gentle relief with an average elevation of 820 meters. The highest point is 880 m at the north-west, while the lowest is 788 m at the south-east. The municipality is part of the Duero River basin and is drained by several small streams with irregular river flows like the Valdecalzada and Valdelaguna streams, which are both tributaries of the Cea River. Several springs, such as La Fuente and Villarrubia, are found within the area. Along with small wetlands like Valdemorgate and Unguera lakes, although others have been historicallly drained for agricultural land.
The municipality of Calzada del Coto borders with several municipalities: At the northwest El Burgo Ranero, to the north lie Villamol and Santa María del Monte de Cea, to the northeast lies Villamol, to the west lies Bercianos del Real Camino, to the east lies Sahagún, to the southwest lies Gordaliza del Pino, to the south lie Gordaliza del Pino and Sahagún, and to the southeast lies again Sahagún.
Calzada del Coto has a continentalized Mediterranean climate, slyghtly influenced by the Cantabrian Mountains. Annual precipitation averages approximately 550 mm, concentrated mainly in spring and autumn. The average annual temperatures range from 10 to 12 °C. Winters are cold, with frequent frosts and sub-zero average daily temperatures on several days while summers are hot and dry, with average temperatures often exceeding 20 °C in July and August. Calzada del Coto experiences about ten days of snowfall, two days of hail, and fifteen stormy days, primarily during June and July. Under the Köppen climate classification, the climate is classified as Csb, representing a transitional climate between Mediterranean and Oceanic types, characterized by mild summers and significant diurnal and seasonal temperature variations.

Nature and Wildlife

Calzada del Coto is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including vulnerable species like the bustard. As well as mammals such as rabbits, hares, wild boars and foxes. The area is rich in birdlife, featuring species like the black kite, common buzzard, and various owls. Amphibians and reptiles include the Iberian tree frog and ocellated lizard, while fish species such as trout and barbel inhabit local waters. The flora is characterized by evergreen trees such as holm oak and various conifers, as well as deciduous trees like black poplar and field elm, along with marcescent trees such as Portuguese oak and Spanish oak. Significant forested areas include the Valdelocajos and Maudes forests, which feature notable trees such as the Roble Mirador. Also, the Cea River and its riverside forest are protected as part of the Natura 2000 network, highlighting the area's ecological importance.
Additionally the municipality supports a variety of crops, both rainfed and irrigated, such as wheat, alfalfa, maize, vineyards and several fruit trees, primarily almond trees. Alongside a significant sheep and cattle livestock population, as well as a rabbit farm.

Government and politics

The local government of Calzada del Coto is managed by a town council consisting of 5 councillors elected every four years by universal suffrage, with the electoral roll including all registered residents over the age of 18. The municipality also has two entities of territorial scope inferior to the municipality that handle local competencies. Judicially, it falls under the judicial district number 1 of León, with its seat in Sahagún. Since the democratic local elections of 1979, the People's Party has dominated the mayorship, with Pablo Carbajal Carbajal currently serving as mayor since 1999.

Demographics

According to the 2024 census, the municipality has a current population of 223, of whom 134 are male and 89 are female. The immigrant population was estimated at 11 individuals, representing 4.91% of the total population. The population density was 4 people per km2. The average age of 57.85 years is typical of the rural areas of Spain, characterized by an aging population and a near disappearance of annual birth rates.
The rural exodus, which began in the second half of the 20th century, led to a demographic decline as residents migrated to more dynamic areas like León or Asturias. Despite this overall decrease, the maximum seasonal population can reach around 620 people, indicating that many former residents and their offspring return during certain times of the year, especially in August during the patronal feasts and in Holy Week, contributing to the local economy and community life.

Main sights

Calzada del Coto is characterized by its historic-artistic heritage, which includes religious architecture featuring several medieval churches, as well as traditional civil architecture such as wineries and a mill. The region's clayey lands have led to the historical prevalence of "mud architecture," using adobe and rammed earth in the traditional construction of one- or two-story houses with gabled or hipped roofs where heating was commonly provided by 'glorias,' a system inspired by Roman hypocausts. In contrast, modern constructions are characterized by plastered facades and new brick buildings, which differ significantly from the traditional architectural styles.

Camino de Santiago

The Way of Saint James is a famous pilgrimage route that has been declared a World Heritage Site. It encompasses several paths leading to the tomb of the apostle James in Santiago de Compostela, with the French Way being the most well-known and heavily traveled. This way crosses Calzada del Coto where it splitts into two paths, one of which is also an ancient Roman road. The Camino inspired various customs rooted in charity, such as the palo de los pobres, which mandated that neighbors provide shelter and meals to pilgrims and travelers, with the stick symbolizing this duty being passed in strict rotation.

Religious architecture

Church of San Esteban : A late 14th-century Catholic church dedicated to Saint Stephen, built of brick and rammed earth, was constructed on the site of an earlier church. It features a notable square tower and an 18th-century Baroque altarpiece.Hermitage of San Roque '': A late 19th-century hermitage built on the site of a 15th-century structure, this brick edifice is dedicated to Saint Roch and holds significance for local festivities and folklore. The local cemetery is adjacent to the hermitage.Church of San Pelayo : A church located in Codornillos dedicated to Saint Pelagius, built of brick and rammed earth.
  • Hermitages of Villarrubia, Nuestra Señora del Villar and Virgen del Valle: A series of hermitages of medieval origin once distributed throughout the municipality of Calzada del Coto, abandoned or even burned during the Spanish confiscation in the 19th century.

Civil architecture

Barrio de las Bodegas : Excavated in the late 17th or 18th century, these wineries were originally used for winemaking and aging wine. This function is now complemented by their use as picnic areas for locals, showcasing the winemaking heritage of Calzada.Codornillos Railway Bridge: Located over the Cea River, was designed by Eduardo Saavedra and built in the 19th century with a Town lattice structure. It was originally dismantled in the 1930s due to line modernization and replaced by two twin Pratt lattice bridges, which are wider and reinforced while retaining elements of 19th century railway style.Molino de los Campos : This historic watermill near Codornillos uses the current from the Valdelaguna Spring and an irrigation ditch coming from the Cea River. Constructed of adobe, it is currently abandoned and ruined.Roman Villa in Valdelaguna: A Roman villa existed in the 2nd century in the location of Valdelaguna, south of Calzada, of which only some mosaics remain. Subsequently, it became the largest pantry of the Monastery of Sahagún, and its importance was such that it came to be a priory of the same. It is currently a farm.

Culture

The culture of Calzada del Coto is deeply rooted in the broader traditions of the region, exemplified by symbols such as the, a traditional banner emblematic of local identity. However, the village possesses some unique cultural practices, most notably the Carro de la Hoguera, a distinctive tradition that sets it apart. Local variants of traditional dances, such as the jota del Perejil and the jota de San Roque, reflect the community's adaptation of the Spanish jota dance. While traditional games, including the juego de la pita, are also part of local festivities and social gatherings. Additionally, the heartfelt tonada known as "Madre" stands out as a medley of traditional songs. Like many rural communities, Calzada del Coto has experienced the effects of rural flight, which has led to the transformation or, in some cases, the loss of certain customs and traditions like the pastorada.

Carro de la Hoguera

Traditionally, every August from the 14th to the 17th, festivities are held in honor of the town's patron, Saint Roch. These celebrations are of great importance to the young people of the village, as the "quintos" of that year participate in organizing the festivities, especially in the traditional Carro de la Hoguera, of which they are the main protagonists. The Carro de la Hoguera is a unique celebration of Calzada del Coto, observed since the early 19th century, which could be considered as a rite of passage. The process begins at dawn on August 15, when the "quintos" and locals ascend the nearby forests to gather holm oak firewood, which is loaded onto the Carro de la Hoguera, a cart traditionally pulled by oxen and, more recently, by a tractor, with the "quintos" riding on it.
The return of the cart is marked by a vibrant procession, during which the townspeople receive the Carro while singing the "Madre", a traditional song cherished by the locals, at least seven times, and spraying water. The procession culminates in front of the town hall, where the "quintos" dismount from the cart and are lifted onto the shoulders of their peers, only to be thrown into el Reguero stream or fountain. The San Roque Bonfire is lit at midnight of August 16. Villagers gather around the bonfire to throw branches, which are distributed by the "quintos," into the flames while making wishes, reinforcing community bonds and cultural heritage.

Cuisine

The cuisine of Calzada del Coto is mainly based on locally sourced foods, featuring some unique culinary offerings, such as the galletas de hierro. These delicate cookies are made from wheat flour, sugar, butter, eggs, and vanilla essence, and are distinguished by their unique preparation method using hot iron plates, which gives them their name. Among the local beverages, orujo arreglado, or simply arreglao, is a traditional drink made from local aguardiente de orujo mixed with coffee or caramel, depending on the occasion. Is especially popular during festivities.
Other traditional products include wine from the DO León, which is traditionally made from the Mencía grape and, more recently, from the Prieto Picudo variety; famous Sahagún leeks; frog legs; crayfish; legumes such as chickpeas and Pardina lentils, which fall under the PGI of Tierra de Campos; dairy products like pata de mulo cheese ; and meat derivatives such as Leonese cecina or chorizo. Additionally, desserts include the aforementioned galletas de hierro and mariquitas, a type of rectangular-shaped muffin.