Escamplero (Principado de Asturias) (0)

Did you know that... Escamplero

Gallegos and Valsera make up, along with other places, the parish of Santa María de Valsera, belonging to the council of Las Regueras, located in central Asturias and furrowed by the Primitive Way. Although it is a short distance from the three major urban centres of the region, Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés, they do not lose the rural character that makes them so attractive. Their origins are lost in prehistoric times, as different sites give evidence of population settlements in the area. From the Iron Age you can see what was the castro or fortified settlement of the Ruedes de Valsera peak. The remains of the old road that went from Astorga to Lugo de Llanera and that acquired greater importance with the boom in pilgrimages to Santiago speak to us about the Roman period. As a result of this, we know of a pilgrim hospital in Escamplero, quoted in a writing in the year 1409. There are documents from the time of the Asturian monarchy in which reference is made to the monasteries of Santa María de Valsera and San Martín de Escamplero. At this time, a large part of the municipality belonged to the bishopric of Oviedo thanks to a donation from King Ramiro II, including the church of Valsera. More recently the area has been the scene of fierce fights and battles both in the War of Independence against French troops, and during the Spanish Civil War.

To discover What to see in Escamplero, Gallegos and Valsera?

In Gallegos, its historic bridge over the river Nora, although with a probably very previous existence, is cited in writings of the year 1247, then and as a result of the passage of time and wars suffered has been rebuilt several times, the current one, although also remodeled on occasion, is of the sixteenth century, is currently used exclusively for pedestrians and has at its entrance a sculpture of concrete. Close to Gallegos you can enjoy El Castañéu del Soldáu, a beautiful chestnut forest on the banks of the Nora. In Escamplero, in the place now occupied by the House the Judge was once the hospital for pilgrims. A spectacular yew recalls the Celtic culture of the area, as it is the image of the link of its people with the land, with their ancestors and with ancient religion. The parish church of Santa Maria was built in the twentieth century after being moved to its new location, was previously in Valsera where a fire in 1930 destroyed the original church that was Romanesque XI century. Today in this enviable spot stands the chapel of Fatima. Washing places, water mills, fountains, forests, fields...complete the gratifying visit that these places offer.

Festivities

In Escamplero is celebrated on July 16 in honor of the Virgen del Carmen.

Traditions

It is traditional that in February in various villages of the council, including Escamplero, are held Gastronomic Days of the Pot and Pitu Caleya.​

Curiosities

The Primitive Way in the council of Las Regueras seems to want to remember the deep-rooted Game of the Goose, a symbolic guide to the Way of Saint James. It is said that the squares of this game indicate stages in which there are points of great importance on the Way. The Primitive Way enters Las Regueras through the Bridge of Gallegos and leaves through the Bridge of Peñaflor. From bridge to bridge.

The Legend

In the middle of the 14th century, Enrique de Trástamara, adopted son of the Asturian nobleman Rodrigo Álvarez de Asturias, lord of Noreña, fled Seville from his stepbrother Pedro I el Cruel, who had not seen Enrique's wedding with Doña Juana Manuel de Castilla, daughter of the infant don Juan Manuel. Going to take refuge in his inherited manor that he possessed in Asturias, Enrique entered the Principality by Somiedo with a small entourage and some knight willing to defend him if necessary, passing through the valley of Miranda, where the masters of this land were supporters of Pedro I, he had to continue riding until arriving, at night, to L'Escampleru, there they found refuge in the house of Rodrigo Alfonso, also called hospital, because there were well received all travelers and pilgrims needed to rest. When Rodrigo, the owner of the house, was informed of those who were asking for lodging and from whom they were fleeing, he said to them: "My house is yours, look at me as a friend and as a brother. The next morning the travellers set out on their way to Noreña, this time also accompanied by Rodrigo Alfonso and seven of his relatives who, armed with spears and shields, walked on foot in front of the future King of Castile. When Enrique de Trástamara acceded to the throne, these squires became the famous Escuderos de las Regueras, granted rents and privileges to the Hospital de L'Escampleru and its benefactor Rodrigo Alfonso and the spears of those squires were from then on part of the shield of Las Regueras.