# Calzada del Coto

Calzada del Coto (Spanish pronunciation:) is a village and municipality located in the southeast of the province of León, Castile and León (Spain). It belongs to the comarca of Tierra de Sahagún and the judicial district of Sahagún. According to the 2024 census (INE), the municipality has a population of 223 inhabitants.
The municipality of Calzada del Coto is made up of two towns: Calzada del Coto (seat or capital) and Codornillos.
Calzada del Coto is crossed by the Camino de Santiago, specifically by the French Way. It is located 5 kilometers from Sahagún. Once the locality is crossed, pilgrims can choose to follow the Camino Real (Royal Road) to Bercianos del Real Camino or continue along the Calzada Romana (Roman Road) towards Calzadilla de los Hermanillos.

## Toponymy

Calzada del Coto derives its name from an original Roman road, with the surname reflecting its connection to the Sahagún monastery. 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 estate 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 pre-Roman Celtic names, and a few 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 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 Museum of León. 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, 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 has an area of 56.03 km² (21,63 sq mi), 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, near the Cea valley and the Tierra de Campos, featuring gentle relief and an average altitude of 820 m. The highest point is 880 m, while the lowest is 788 m near the Cea riverbed. It is part of the Duero basin characterized by irregular river flows and several small streams, including the Valdecalzada and Valdelaguna streams, which are tributaries of the Cea River. The area has various springs, such as La Fuente and Villarrubia springs, and contains small wetlands like Valdemorgate and Unguera lakes, although others have been drained for farmland.
The municipality of Calzada del Coto lies to 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 Sahagún.
Calzada del Coto has a continentalized Mediterranean climate, slyghtly influenced by the Cantabrian Mountains, with annual precipitation averaging around 550 mm, mainly in spring and autumn. The average annual temperatures range from 10 to 12 °C, with cold winters featuring frequent frosts and negative averages on several days, while summers are hot and dry, often exceeding 20 °C in June and July. The region experiences about ten days of snowfall, two days of hail, and fifteen stormy days, primarily in June and July. Classified as Csb in the Köppen climate system, it represents a transitional climate between Mediterranean and Oceanic types, characterized by mild summers and significant daily 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 European 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 (Lookout Oak). 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 also supports various crops, both rainfed and irrigated, such as wheat, alfalfa, maize, vineyards and some fruit trees, alongside a significant sheep and cattle livestock population.

## Government and politics

The local government of Calzada del Coto is managed by a town council (ayuntamiento) consisting of 5 councilors (concejales) 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 (EATIM) that handle local competencies. Judicially, it falls under the judicial district (partido judicial) number 1 of León, with its seat in Sahagún. Since the democratic local elections of 1979, the People's Party (Partido Popular) has dominated the mayorship, with Pablo Carbajal Carbajal currently serving as mayor (alcalde) since 1999.

## Demographics

According to the 2024 census (INE), 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 (INE 2022). The population density was 4 people per km$^2$ (10.0/sq mi). The average age of 57.85 years (INE 2023) 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. 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.
Population centers of Calzada del Coto :
| Population entity | Coordinates | Pop. (2024) | Map |
| Calzada del Coto | 42°23'15"N, 5°4'50"W | 186 | |
| Codornillos | 42°24′7.88″ N, 5°3′13.44″ W | 37 | |
| Total | | 223 | |
| Source: INE, 2024 | Source: INE, 2024 | Source: INE, 2024 | Source: IGN |

## 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 cellars and a mill. The region's clayey lands have led to the prevalence of "mud architecture," utilizing adobe and rammed earth in the traditional construction of one- or two-story houses with gabled or hipped roofs. Heating was commonly provided by "glorias," a system inspired by Roman hypocausts.

### Camino de Santiago

The Way of Saint James (Camino de Santiago) 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 has inspired various customs rooted in charity, such as the palo de los pobres (stick of the poor), which mandated that neighbors provide shelter and meals to pilgrims and travelers, with the stick symbolizing this duty being passed in strict rotation.
* San Roque Pilgrims Hostel (Albergue de peregrinos San Roque): A public pilgrim hostel opened in 2014, located in a former school building, offering 36 beds, including some accessible options.

### Religious architecture

* Church of San Esteban (Iglesia de 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 (Ermita de 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 (Iglesia de San Pelayo): A church located in Codornillos dedicated to Saint Pelagius, built of brick and rammed earth.

### Civil architecture

* Barrio de las Bodegas (Cellars Quartier): Excavated in the late 17th or 18th century, these cellars were originally used for aging wine. This function is now complemented by their use as picnic areas (merenderos) for locals, showcasing the winemaking heritage of Calzada.
* Molino de los Campos (Mill of the Fields): This historic watermill near Codornillos utilizes the current from the Valdelaguna Spring and an irrigation ditch coming from the Cea River. Constructed of adobe, it is currently abandoned.
* 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
### 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 (young people who turn 18) participate in organizing the festivities, especially in the traditional Carro de la Hoguera (Bonfire Cart), 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 from hoses (manguerazos). 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 a fountain or stream. The San Roque Bonfire is lit at midnight of August 16. Villagers gather around the bonfire to throw branches, distributed by the "quintos," into the flames and make wishes, reinforcing community bonds and cultural heritage.