Balboa

María Álvarez Brasa

Balboa is a village that belongs to the region of El Bierzo, in Leon.
Its population has decreased because of rural exodus, but, nevertheless, is one of the few villages in the area that continues having life.


Name:
This ancient village is near the mountain massif of Cervantes, a valley which was called for its beauty: "bona Vallis", and whose name became corrupted over time. The name was evolving over the years in "Vall-bona" and "Vall-boa". Finally, the village was called “Balboa”.

Landscape and monuments:
Balboa stands out because of its nature and its green mountain landscapes, but also is known for its monuments:

The Castle of Balboa:
It dates from the thirteenth century. It belonged to the noble lineage of the Rodriguez de Valcarcel and, in the fifteenth century, it became the property of Count Lemos. Later, the castle belonged to the Catholic Kings and then, it was the Marquess of Villafranca. Nowadays it is only survived the keep (“torre del homenaje”), but not all sides. 
                                                                      
“Pallozas”:
They are circular constructions with low stone walls and covered by a conical roof made of stalks of rye. The “pallozas”, in the mountains of Ancares, is a place where people, animals and things lived together. Nowadays there are two “pallozas” which are the most visited: “La palloza de Balboa” and “La palloza de Chis”. These buildings are now used as restaurants and cafes.


The Magical Night:
Balboa is a tourist place because of its Magical Night, in which we celebrate the shortest night of the year, the night of Saint John. There are Celtic music concerts and a huge bonfire, where you can pull your wishes written on paper waiting to be fulfilled.