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The Bolo

The Bolo is probably one of the most identifying signs of Cuzcurrita, along with the church of San Miguel. It names a hill that surrounds the village, also formerly known as the Cuesta del Rollo. This name also corresponds to the monument located on its crest.

The Rollo or Bolo was an element that formerly was a symbol of the manor which governed over the village, both for civil and criminal jurisdiction and appointment of the ordinary justice by the Lord of the village. For this reason, they were called Lord of Gallows and Knife and High Stick.

To access it, you must stand in Campillo square and, following the signs, reach the base of the mountain, where a steep but not very long climb awaits you, to reach the most beautiful view of the entire region. From the top you will be able to see the lands of Castilla on one side and closing the horizon, the Obarenes Mountains, the Sierra de Cantabria and Toloño mountain (the highest in the mountain range). Always surrounded by vineyards, from the viewpoint; you can see the medieval layout of Cuzcurrita with the Tirón river crossing like a spine.

San Miguel church and the Velasco’s Castle in the background with all the large mansions, tell us about the flourishing past of the village through history and time.

The primitive Rollo was a royal gift from Enrique II of Castilla and Doña Juana, his wife, to Juan Martínez de Rojas and María Fernández in November 1367, for which “they are granted the place of Cuzcurrita with all its terms, valleys and mountains, meadows and pastures, rivers and waters, terms and vassals with the Justice and the Lordship of said place and the power to put roll, gallows, pillory or knife and other jurisdiction signs regarding the King himself”.

The primitive Rollo was destroyed in 1865 by a lightning strike (depending on the version), whose reconstruction cost 166 reais of the time. The current one is formed by a plinth and the column has four 1.80 meter drums, topped by a crowning cone as an ornament. Its current total height is 3.20 meters and on the third drum, the following inscription appears "Destroyed by a lightning strike and rebuilt by the town in 1865".

Therefore we already understand, what was the use of this pillory: the place of execution during the medieval period. But as of the 16th century, in Spain, the rollos already exclusively fulfill the function of symbolizing the power to do justice that the authorities have in whose jurisdiction the rollos are erected.

The primitive Rollo was destroyed in 1865 by a lightning strike (depending on the version), whose reconstruction cost 166 reais of the time. The current one is formed by a plinth and the column has four 1.80 meter drums, topped by a crowning cone as an ornament. Its current total height is 3.20 meters and on the third drum, the following inscription appears “Destroyed by a lightning strike and rebuilt by the town in 1865”.

Navigate through the Bolo ...

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