Aerial view of Tórtoles, by Ricardo Melgar on Panoramio. His collection of images of Castille is simply excellent.

Tórtoles de Esgueva is a small village in Ribera del Duero (Burgos province, Spain), which I already blogged about last year. The rural development strategy for the area focuses on wine and the associated tourism, as well as on rural tourism. The Posada- Monasterio in the village is a good example of it, with an interesting architectural rehabilitation and a quality hotel service. Besides, they organize some art-related events which go way beyond what many would think of a small Castilian village.

The village is, as often, on the slope connecting the fertile valley bottom to the upper cereal cultivation grounds, with a south- looking orientation. As in such villages, the interesting architectural elements are the church and the monastery. Vernacular architecture persist, albeit sometimes a bit modified. 

The monastery (left) and the church (right)

An art installation at the chappel in 2010, by Carlos León