Villablino

Villablino lies in Laciana, a mountain valley on the upper Sil between León and Asturias. Alfonso X granted the people of Laciana a charter in 1270, establishing a council and privileges for the valley's settlements. Livestock raising sustained local households, while muleteers and travelling shepherds carried news across the mountains. In the sixteenth century the council's weekly market at San Mamés drew people from neighbouring districts of León and the Asturian mountains.