Siero De La Reina

Siero de la Reina lies where two valleys meet, at the foot of Puerto de Picones. This location helps define the village both geographically and through its distinctive themes: forest landscapes, a Romanesque architectural landmark, and a history associated with the portal having been moved in the past.

Forest Landscape and Orientation

West of Siero de la Reina lies Los Sestiles, an oak forest with centuries-old trees. On the slopes toward Puerto de Monteviejo, there are planted pine stands and native beech forests. These descriptions refer to different aspects of the landscape: the oak forest to the west, with its old trees, and the wooded slopes toward Puerto de Monteviejo.

The types of forest mentioned also have different characteristics. In Los Sestiles, the focus is on the oaks and the age of the trees; toward Puerto de Monteviejo, both planted pines and native beeches shape the landscape. Together with the location at Puerto de Picones, these features provide a sense of direction across several named landscape areas, without presenting them as a single forest.

The Romanesque Portal and Its History

At the entrance to the cemetery in Siero de la Reina is a Romanesque portal dating from the 12th century. Its entrance arch is semicircular, and the portal also features a delicate cube-pattern molding, a plain archivolt, and sculpted capitals. The architectural elements can be considered individually: the archivolt frames the arch, while the molding and capitals add to its design. The portal thus offers several specific architectural details in addition to its date.

The portal was part of the Monastery of San Miguel, which stood on a nearby mountain pass. In 1911, Antonio de Valbuena moved it to the church in Pedrosa del Rey. After the Riaño Reservoir was built, it returned to its original location in 1991. Today, it stands at the entrance to the cemetery in Siero de la Reina. Its original association, relocation, and return give the portal a distinct history within the history of the village. The Portada de la Iglesia Parroquial in Siero de la Reina is listed as a monument.

The village’s medieval history also includes a castle that stood on one of the steep hills surrounding Siero de la Reina. The history of the village therefore extends beyond the Romanesque portal.

The PR-LE 54 Route and the Landscape

The PR-LE 54 route offers views of the oak stands of Siero de la Reina and the Montes de Riaño. It also follows the route used by transhumant Merino sheep flocks on their way to the high pastures of Tierra de la Reina and Valdeón. This brings together two different perspectives: the landscape visible from the route and the historical movement of flocks to the high pastures.

The route adds the history of transhumance to these themes of the village and its forests. Which perspective is most relevant to your trip planning depends on whether you are more interested in architectural history, forest landscapes, or the history of livestock migration.

Discover more destinations: Canales, Carracedelo, Brimeda, Boca De Huérgano, La Bañeza, Carucedo, Sopeña de Carneros, Valdoré.

For the broader travel overview: León.