Sotosalbos

Sotosalbos is a small mountain village with only 126 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2013) in the province of Segovia in the autonomous community of Castile -Leon.

Location

Sotosalbos lies at an altitude of about 1160 meters above sea level. inst on the road to Puerto de Malangosto, a strategically and economically important mountain pass (2002 m), the association with Segovia Toledo and Madrid. The city of Segovia is located about 20 kilometers to the southwest.

Demographics

Economy

Like most mountain villages, as well Sotosalbos lived for centuries throughout much of the agriculture, ie primarily the milk and cheese production. Arable land are suitable due to the altitude only for the cultivation of barley; only in valleys also thrives some wheat. Since the late 20th century, the hiking and day tourism plays a certain role in the local economy.

History

Pending re- conquest ( reconquista ) of Toledo in 1080, the region of Sotasalbos belonged to a depopulated because repeatedly fought between Christians and Moors no man's land between the rivers Tajo and Duero in the south to the north. After the recapture of many efforts have been made to the field as soon as possible to repopulate with Christians from the north of Spain ( repoblación ). In a document from the year 1122 appeared the first time the name Sotis Albis ( German as: " White Trees " ), which, however, has already developed a century later to Sotos Albos. The place belonged to the diocese of Segovia several centuries until it was sold to the then Duke of Béjar Pedro de Zúñiga in 1536.

Attractions

• The church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel (San Miguel Arcangel ) dates from the 12th century and is one of the finest examples of a church with south porch ( portico ), as they are still common in the provinces of Segovia, Soria, Guadalajara and Burgos ( cf. Jaramillo de la Fuente, San Pedro ( Caracena ), and others). The religious and / or secular purpose of these lobbies is controversial -. Meeting place of the community prior to the show or before processions and / or sacrosanct meeting place and Beratungsort the elders in court processes, etc. The asymmetrically designed south porch of the church in Sotosalbos was certainly one of the most beautiful and most richly decorated examples of its kind the decor of the two portals of the vestibule consists of - not interrupted by capitals - zigzag motifs such it can also be found at the Church of San Pedro de Gaíllos et al. The church has no west tower, but an added until the 13th century tower on the north side; Moreover, it has only a flat apse. Inside the choir area there are still some remains of frescoes, including a lion of Mark the Evangelist.