Castrillo de los Polvazares

Castrillo de los Polvazares is a village situated in Leon, in North-west of Spain. It is part of the municipality of Astorga. It's important due to its history, as one of the few places of the “Maragatería” which still keeps its traditions and was one of the main resistances against the French conquests.HistoryIt isn't known the date when Castrillo was founded, but it would probably be by the time the “Maragatería” did, with the Roman Empire, when Austurica Augusta (Astorga) was founded. It was destroyed by a flood in the 16th century and rebuilt again in the location where it is to date.Castrillo was one of the most important places for the reconquest of Astorga in the Independence Spanish War, as it was the first village of the “Maragatería” where the Spanish troops rebelled against the French army.You can find much more information about the village on the following link: CastrilloDeLosPolvazares.comEconomyThe main economic activity of people today is based on tourism and handicrafts. Its main tourist attractions are its typical architecture and also the gastronomy, with the popular "Cocido Maragato". The most popular restaurants in town are located in houses that need maragatas rehabilitated. You can find some of them in the #References of this page.ArchitectureCastrillo keeps his original architecture since the 16th century. It means every building is made of stone, and the road isn't asphalted to keep its original appearance, but it's paved with stones. On the 1980 it was declared Historic-Artistic Set of Great Value.