Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Cozcurrita
In Arribes del Duero, in a state of disrepair, is the small village of Cozcurrita. This locality is within the municipality of Fariza and within the historical region of Sayago. The area in question is situated in a region that has been cleared for agricultural purposes, with the river Duero forming its northern border.
The history of the hill on which this Sayago village is situated can be traced back to the ancient period. Currently, there are several archaeological sites that offer insights into the town's historical development. It is of interest to note that the name Cozcurrita is believed to derive from the period when the Sayago region was occupied by the Andalusian people. The village's development commenced during the medieval period.
The Church of Santa María Magdalena, situated in the centre of the village, was constructed in the 13th century. The architectural style of the building has Romanesque origins, although subsequent restorations have resulted in the building adopting different personalities. The church comprises a single rectangular nave, with an entrance and a sacristy on the north side. The exterior of the building is characterised by a gabled roof, a tall belfry topped by a Latin cross, and a façade constructed of masonry and granite ashlar. The interior is accessed through a portico, which is decorated with a semicircular arch. Upon entering the interior, one encounters a modest space with natural light, in which the square headwall is separated from the remainder of the church by a triumphal arch. The chancel is adorned with a magnificent carved wooden altarpiece, while on the other side of the small church is a baptismal font. The building is near a local cemetery and a century-old mulberry tree.
The town of Cozcurrita exemplifies the authentic personality of Sayago, as evidenced by its traditional farmhouses, intertwined streets, and granite walls. The facility maintains a herd of Zamorano-Leonese donkeys, a local breed of donkey that is at risk of extinction.
Cozcurrita is set in remarkable nature. The area is bordered by the impressive meander of the Duero River and the pleasant Pisón and Mimbrero streams. The area is situated within the Arribes del Duero Natural Park, which is home to a plethora of avian species, including the black stork, Egyptian vulture, golden eagle, eagle owl and the enormous griffon vulture. To gain an appreciation of this natural wonder, one may choose to visit the viewpoint of Las Barracas, situated near the Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Castillo.
Cozcurrita participates in the Fariza Processions Festival, during which the image of the Virgin of Nuestra Señora del Castillo is carried in procession alongside the Viriato banners. The procession, which has been conducted for centuries, involves the participation of Cozcurrita, who bears the town's banner.