The medieval landmarks of the abandoned village of Uvierzo

San Esteban de Uvierzo, also known as Uvierzo, is a deserted village located in the municipality of Cármenes, in the comarca of Los Argüellos, in the north of the province of León, in the autonomous community of Castilla y León. It has been uninhabited since the 15th century. During the creation of the concejos, it was the place where the Gran Concejo del Arbolio, a medieval landmark in this comarca, was celebrated.

The first mention of Uvierzo dates back to 999 AD, as Sancte Steuan de Ugerzo. It is located in the Vallico valley, which includes Valverdín, Pedrosa, Lavandera, and Genicera. The Pico Cabañas or Pico Cabanas, one of the highest peaks in the area, is located near Uvierzo. Today, San Esteban de Uvierzo is in the Genicera district of the municipality of Cármenes.

The name 'Collada de Valdeteja' for Uvierzo is a historical error due to the Ayuntamiento of Cármenes allowing the use of the name as Collada de Valdeteja when it legally belonged to the ayuntamiento of Cármenes. References to Uvierzo can be found from the end of the 10th century. Uvierzo was mentioned immediately after Sancto Thomas de Guinizera and two places after Sant Mames de Valverde in a document from the 16th century.

The 16th century document states that Uvierzo was 'esta yerma' and 'non da nada', showing evidence that it was already abandoned in the 16th century. Uvierzo was mentioned in documents of the Archivo Histórico Diocesano de León for several decades after the 16th century. In one of its meadows, the Real Concejo del Arbolio was held. It was also known as Collada del Coto, a central point where three thirds of the roads converged.

Uvierzo could be considered a 'natural mediator' as it was located at a water division point, with one water flowing eastwards and another westwards. The judges and the defendant stood on a large rounded stone during the Real Concejo del Arbolio, the stone was preserved until 1921, the year the first road was traced. The Real Concejo del Arbolio was mentioned several times, especially during the 16th century, in documents of Fernando IV or Juan II of León (I of Castille).

In 1415, Juan III of León donated the real señorío de Los Argüellos to the concejo de León. In a letter, he cited a disastrous situation with robberies, deaths, and disorder as reasons for the land being deserted, stating it was apart and not governed in justice. The Catastro del Marqués de Ensenada identifies the old village as church territory. A pasture trail now serves as a route from the Collada de Uvierzo to the Puerto de Sancenas, starting from the plain dividing the Curueño and Valverdín valleys and ending at the Fuenfría hut.

The route continues towards the giant calizas until Las Vizarreras, an extensive area shaped by karst erosion. A collada near southwest offers a passage to the broad ports of Sancenas. Another collada towards the west leads to the Fuenfría hut. A small stream disappears to continue its course underground near the Peña del Sumidero. The territory of Sancenas is a provincially declared area of geological interest due to its vast plain marked by its height.

In summer, a cold summer is experienced on days with little sun in Sancenas, while in winter it receives large snowfalls that almost prevent passage to the Fuenfría hut. Three milestones can be observed on the Alto de la Lomba, dividing the municipal terms. At the beginning of the descent from the Peña del Sumidero, three eroded crosses can be found carved into the rock, dividing the territories of Genicera with the nearby town of Valverde del Curueño.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons