La Laguna between dinosaur ichnites and fortress history

La Laguna I is classified as a Cultural Heritage Site of Cultural Interest in the category of archaeological zone as part of the designation of the dinosaur ichnite sites of Castile and León. This means that various traces of the history of the landscape and its settlement converge here: archaeological sites, historic fortifications, an ancient livestock trail, and prominent geographical reference points.

Culture

During the heyday of the Soriano Castro culture in the Celtiberian period, the Castillo de la Laguna was one of two large fortified settlements that dominated the Tierras Altas area. The oppidum of La Laguna was violently destroyed. Its spectacular fortifications included a wall, a moat, complex entrances, bastions, and towers. The chronology and architectural features belong to different levels of the site's history: on the one hand, the complex is associated with the Celtiberian period; on the other, its structural elements reveal the specific form of the oppidum.

Nature

La Laguna is located on the SO-P-1103 provincial road between Santa Cruz de Yanguas and Villar del Río. At the same time, the village lies on the edge of the Rincón de la Caballera. From La Laguna, there are expansive views of the gorges of the Arroyo de la Helechosa. The road location, position on the edge, and views each describe a distinct spatial reference and connect the site's history with the surrounding landscape.

Geographical setting

Outcrops with dinosaur ichnites have been documented along the Camino del Molino. Further outcrops with dinosaur ichnites are located on the riverbank near Las Llanas. The two sites mentioned retain their own geographical references: one is located on the Camino del Molino, while the other is on the riverbank near Las Llanas. Thus, the traces do not represent a single gathering point, but rather two named sites in the vicinity of La Laguna.

In the immediate vicinity of La Laguna is the Puente de las Llanas, a paved stone bridge over the Baos River. It therefore forms another geographical reference point alongside the archaeological sites.

La Laguna is strongly shaped by livestock farming. The Cañada Real Soriana Oriental comprises three livestock routes; one of them runs westward through the comarca via Santa Cecilia, La Laguna, and Puente de Los Llanos. Its route connects the village with a regional tradition of travel and adds another historical context to the archaeological and landscape references.

When choosing a holiday apartment in La Laguna, the above-mentioned highlights can be weighted differently: the fortress complex and the ichnites represent archaeological themes, the Arroyo de la Helechosa and the Rincón de la Caballera represent the landscape, while the Puente de las Llanas and the Cañada Real Soriana Oriental provide further specific local references.

Further local page: La Cuesta

To the main travel overview: Villar Del Río.