Esperan is an ancient village in the Alta Ribagorça region. It was originally property of the Baronia d'Erill until 1173, when it passed to the monestir de Lavaix. Currently, it belongs to the municipality of El Pont de Suert, although in the first half of the 19th century it belonged to Malpàs. The village has always had difficult access, which has worsened since it became depopulated. It can be reached on foot from Gotarta, Igüerri, or Malpàs, but access by vehicle is impossible beyond certain points.
Historical records date the village back to 1018. In the 1553 Fogatge, it appeared with two fires, representing about 10 inhabitants. By 1787, it had 44 inhabitants, though another record from the same year lists 14. Records from 1849 describe it as a village on a slope in the southern part of a high mountain, heavily beaten by winds and cold from snow. The village had two houses and an abadia (rectoria), forming a coastal street that was poorly paved. It produced wheat, rye, and legumes, and raised sheep, oxen, mules, and donkeys for agricultural work.
Today, Esperan is a depopulated village with houses in ruins. Only the Església de Sant Saturní d'Esperan remains, and it is in a lamentable state. Consolidation processes were carried out in 2018 and 2021 to address the condition of the remaining structure.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
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