Catarecha, Deserted medieval village in Valle de Echo, Spain.
Catarecha is a deserted medieval settlement in the mountainous Valle de Echo, where scattered stone remains show where homes and buildings once stood. The structures are spread across the hillside, revealing how inhabitants adapted their construction to the steep and rocky terrain.
Catarecha was first recorded in 1215 as an active settlement in the Pyrenees. Over the following centuries, residents gradually left until the village emptied out entirely by the end of the medieval period.
The Hermitage of the Virgin of Catarecha, built in 1659, shows how faith shaped daily life in this remote settlement. Today, this small chapel still stands among the abandoned houses, revealing the religious importance it held for those who lived here.
This location is reached only by hiking trails through Valle de Echo, requiring good physical preparation and proper footwear. The paths are uneven and exposed to mountain weather, so visitors should plan their visit accordingly.
The houses of Catarecha display construction methods specific to Pyrenean villages, with foundations carefully adapted to the steep mountainous landscape. This regional building style is uncommon and offers insight into how medieval communities solved practical challenges in high-altitude terrain.
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