El Acebo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Acebo
|
|
|---|---|
El Acebo from the Ponferrada
|
|
 El Acebo
Location in Castile and León
El Acebo
Location in Spain
|
|
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Castile and León |
| Province | León |
| Comarca | El Bierzo |
| Elevation | 1,150 m (3,770 ft) |
| Population
(2011)
|
|
| • Total | 37 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CET) |
El Acebo is a very small village nestled in the mountains of Spain. It is located in the Province of León, within the region of Castile and León. This special village sits right on the famous Camino de Santiago, a historic pilgrimage route. Its name, "El Acebo," actually means "The Holly," named after the European Holly plant.
Contents
Welcome to El Acebo!
El Acebo is a charming village, typical of the mountain areas in upper El Bierzo. The houses here are quite unique. They are built from and covered in dark grey slate, which is a common building material in this region. Many homes also feature cool wooden balconies that face the street. Sometimes, these balconies even extend from an outdoor staircase.
A Bit of History
Long ago, people in El Acebo had a special job. According to old stories, they were supposed to help mark the Camino de Santiago route. This was very important, especially when it snowed, to guide pilgrims safely. The king asked them to maintain about 800 stakes along the path.
The Camino de Santiago Connection
The Camino de Santiago is a very old pilgrimage path that many people walk or cycle today. When more people started using the Camino again, it really helped El Acebo. The village's economy got much better!
Now, you can find places for pilgrims to stay, like hostels run by the community or private owners. There are also cozy holiday homes called Casas Rurales. A grocery store has reopened, and there's even a restaurant where you can grab a meal.
The Village Church
The main church in El Acebo is dedicated to the archangel Michael. Inside, you can see a colorful statue of Santiago, who is also known as Saint James. He is an important figure for pilgrims on the Camino.
A Special Monument
As you leave the village, you'll see a modern monument. It's made from rebar, which is a type of steel bar. This monument remembers Heinrich Krause, a German cyclist who was a pilgrim and sadly passed away here on August 13, 1987. Because of this, cyclists are now warned about the winding and steep road that goes down towards Molinaseca. It's a reminder to be careful!
Nearby Compludo
After the monument, the road turns towards a place called Compludo. In the 7th century, Saint Fructuosus founded his first monastery here. You can also see a medieval blacksmith shop in Compludo. A legend says that a famous sword was made here, the one that Pelagius of Asturias used in the Battle of Covadonga.
See also
In Spanish: Acebo (Molinaseca) para niños
