Berchiola

Berchiola is a municipality in the province of Ávila, within the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. It is situated in the eastern part of the province, to the west of the Sierra de la Virgen, and covers an area of about 27 square kilometres. The town sits at an elevation of roughly 950 metres above sea level and experiences a continental climate, with cold winters and mild summers. It borders the municipalities of Alcañiz, Murillo de la Sierra, and Codedas. According to the 2011 census, the population was around 480 residents.

The earliest documentary references to Berchiola date from the 10th century, placing it within the kingdom of León. Remnants of a medieval fortification perched on a nearby hill attest to its strategic importance during the Reconquista. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, the population grew as part of broader efforts to stabilize rural settlements in the region. In recent decades, population decline has been counterbalanced by renewed emphasis on sheep and goat breeding, as well as modest tourism focused on historical sites and natural scenery.

Agriculture and livestock dominate Berchiola’s economy. Farmers raise cereals and maintain pasture lands for sheep and goats, producing meat, milk, and traditional cheeses that are sold in nearby market towns. Cultural life revolves around the annual patron saint festival held in September, featuring religious processions, folk music, and communal meals.

Points of interest include the ruins of a 12th‑century keep, the Romanesque Church of Saint Michael, and well‑preserved paths linking the village to the Sierra de la Virgen. Berchiola exemplifies a quiet Castilian rural community with a long historical heritage.