Las Casas del Conde Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Las Casas del Conde

Flag	Coat of arms

Location in Salamanca

Comarca

Sierra de Francia

Area

• Total

1 km² (0.4 sq mi)

Elevation

720 m (2,360 ft)

Population

(2018)

• Total

• Density

61/km² (160/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET)

• Summer (DST)

UTC+2 (CEST)

Postal code

37659

Las Casas del Conde is a very small village and municipality in western Spain. It is part of the Salamanca province and the Castile and León region.

This tiny place is about 78 kilometres (48 mi) away from Salamanca, the main city of the province. It has a small population of only about 61 people. The whole area of the municipality is just 1 km² (0.39 sq mi). It sits 720 metres (2,360 ft) above sea level, and its postal code is 37659.

A Look Back in Time
- Becoming a Villa
- Land Disputes
Nature and Weather
- River Life
- Special Climate
What to See
Fun Places
Festivals and Fun
Gallery
See also

A Look Back in Time

Like many towns in this area, Las Casas del Conde began its history during a time called the Christian repopulation. This happened when Christian kingdoms were taking back land from the Muslims in Spain. King Alfonso IX of Leon (who ruled from 1065 to 1109) started this effort. His son-in-law, Count Raimundo of Burgundy, helped a lot.

As wars with the Muslims continued, King Alfonso IX worked hard to bring more people to this area. He also made the region stronger with defenses, as it was a border with the Kingdom of Castilla.

Becoming a Villa

Because of its name, the municipality soon came under the rule of the Count of Miranda del Castañar. This meant the people had to pay taxes and rents to the Count. This slowed down the town's growth for a long time.

However, in 1757, the King gave Las Casas del Conde the special title of "villa." This meant it had more rights and control over its own land. It even gained a large part of the land from nearby places like El Cabaco, Nava de Francia, and El Casarito.

Land Disputes

This new land distribution caused a very long disagreement between Las Casas del Conde and El Cabaco. This dispute lasted for many years and involved arguments and even soldiers being sent to keep the peace. Some stories say that people from Las Casas del Conde were quite strong and sometimes hurt people from El Cabaco during these fights.

In 1763, the court decided in favor of El Cabaco, and they got their shared lands back. The records of this long dispute fill many handwritten pages! Years before, the people of Las Casas del Conde also had serious arguments with Mogarraz over using the Santa Coloma meadow. In 1672, a fight even led to one death and several injuries. After this, they tried to understand each other better and signed a peace agreement the next year.

Nature and Weather

Las Casas del Conde is located right next to the Francia River. This river starts in the Sierra de Francia mountain range, which shares the same name. Like most mountain rivers, its water is very clear and clean.

River Life

The river flows between many trees, such as alder and ash trees. These trees grow very tall as they reach for sunlight, forming a natural tunnel over the river. In summer, this creates a peaceful spot where the only sound is the gentle flow of the water.

Special Climate

The village has a special kind of weather called a "microclimate." This is because of where it is located: nestled between two mountains, next to the river, and facing a certain direction. This unique climate allows many different kinds of fruit trees to grow here, like cherry, fig, apple, pear, and olive trees. Even Mediterranean trees like orange trees can grow well.

The plants around the village are also very rich in aromatic herbs, such as thyme and Pot Marjoram. In January, you can even see narcissus flowers blooming around the river and in the wet meadows. This shows how mild the climate is, even in winter!

What to See

Las Casas del Conde has some interesting places to visit:

The Church of Santa Catalina
The Hermitage of the Humilladero
An interesting old town center
An amazing natural viewpoint

Fun Places

Recreational Zone “Peñalvo”: This fun area is about 500 metres (1,600 ft) from the center of the village. A local road leads you right to it, heading towards Mogarraz.

Festivals and Fun

The village celebrates the Festivals of Santo Cristo and Virgin of the Triumph every year. These celebrations take place on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of August.