Castrocontrigo on the Eria: Nature, History and Chocolate

Castrocontrigo lies on the banks of the River Eria. The Coto de pesca de Manzaneda trout fishing area covers a 5 km stretch of the Eria, running downstream from the old bridge of Villar del Monte to the mouth of the tributary Río Pequeño in the centre of Castrocontrigo.

Nature

The landscape around Castrocontrigo includes rye fields, holm oaks, oak trees and resin-producing pine forests. The municipality of Castrocontrigo currently has ZEPA status as a special protection area for birds. A total of 187 species of terrestrial vertebrates have been recorded in the Castrocontrigo area: 122 bird species, 42 mammal species, 13 reptile species and 10 amphibian species. Different focuses can be combined when planning the day here: the river, landscape and biodiversity as well as archaeology, the museum and the festival calendar.

History

A Roman bridge over the River Eria lies on the Roman road from Castrocontrigo to Corporales. The pre-Roman settlement of Aria, with which Castrocontrigo is connected, was located on what is now Cerro del Castro. After the Roman conquest of the Aria valley, a Roman camp was built on the plain between Cerro del Castro and the river.

A similar cross was erected on the summit of Cerro del Castro to commemorate the victory of Doña Urraca and her son Alfonso Raimúndez over the Portuguese. The large cross symbolises Doña Urraca, while the small one represents her son. Access to the Yacimiento El Castro archaeological site begins south of the centre of Castrocontrigo on the Camino del Vía Crucis, which branches off from the C-622 road; after approximately 250 m, the site is reached.

Culture

The Museo del Chocolate displays traditional machinery and detailed explanations of the chocolate-making process. In chocolate production, the beans are ground in a mill made of heated granite stones. Today, the mills in Castrocontrigo help to provide a better understanding of the history and life of the villages. The exhibition thus combines technical equipment, production knowledge and the history of local village life.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Castrocontrigo, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions can be considered alongside information about the town. This keeps the personal conditions of the stay separate from the features described on the Eria and the town's historical and cultural topics.

Festivals and Cuisine

Alubias a la bañezana and frog legs are among the outstanding dishes associated with Castrocontrigo and are part of the regional cuisine of the comarca and the province of León. On 15 May, the San Isidro tradition in Castrocontrigo includes a procession to the Cruz de los Frutos and the blessing of the fields. The San Salvador festival in Castrocontrigo is associated with 6 August.

More local pages: Santa Marina Del Rey, Bembibre, Boca De Huérgano, Orallo, Puebla De Lillo, San Juan de Paluezas, Salamón, Quintanilla De Somoza

For the higher-level travel overview: León.