leadas

Leadas is a small rural settlement located in the northern part of the autonomous community of Castilla‑La Mancha, Spain. It lies within the municipal boundaries of the province of Guadalajara, approximately 15 kilometres southeast of the provincial capital. The village is situated at an altitude of about 720 metres above sea level, on the foothills of the Sierra de Ayllón, and is surrounded by mixed oak and pine forests.

The earliest documentary reference to Leadas dates to a 12th‑century charter in which the settlement is mentioned as part of the feudal holdings of the Order of Santiago. Historical records indicate that the local economy was traditionally based on subsistence agriculture, livestock grazing, and the extraction of timber. From the late 19th century onward, modest growth occurred due to the introduction of wheat and barley cultivation, as well as the establishment of a small cooperative dairy.

According to the most recent municipal census, Leadas has a population of roughly 180 inhabitants, most of whom are engaged in agriculture, rural tourism, or commuting to nearby towns for employment. The demographic profile is characterised by an ageing population, a trend common to many small villages in the interior of the Iberian Peninsula.

Cultural life in Leadas centres on the parish church of San Pedro, a 16th‑century building that incorporates the original Romanesque apse. Annual festivals celebrated in August feature traditional music, folk dances, and communal meals that showcase regional dishes such as migas and lamb stew. In recent years, the community has promoted eco‑tourism, offering hiking routes that highlight the surrounding natural landscape and the nearby Fuente de la Luz spring.

Leadas is administratively part of the comarca of La Mancha, and it participates in inter‑municipal initiatives aimed at preserving rural heritage, improving infrastructure, and encouraging sustainable development in the region.