San Asenjo

San Asenjo is an abandoned village in the municipality of Espeja de San Marcelino, in the province of Soria, Castile and León. No one lives here today, but the ruins of the old settlement can still be visited, making it one of the many despoblados — depopulated villages — that Soria province is particularly known for.

Where exactly is San Asenjo located?

The settlement sits at an elevation of around 1,093 metres, in the northern part of Soria province, administratively belonging to the municipality of Espeja de San Marcelino. That municipality, located in Castile and León, today has a population of only around 160 people spread across 71 square kilometres, making it one of the most sparsely populated corners of Spain. San Asenjo is one of the small historic settlements that make up this municipality.

What is the history of this place?

At the start of the 20th century, San Asenjo was still a living village: in 1910 it had 39 inhabitants and 25 buildings. Over the following decades, as happened across much of this region, the population steadily declined until the village was completely deserted by 1981. Since then, San Asenjo has been officially classified as a despoblado, a settlement with no permanent residents.

What can visitors see there today?

The main draw is what remains of the old buildings — ruins and the outline of the former village that have survived despite decades of abandonment. A hiking route connecting the nearby village of Espeja with Hontoria passes through the area, making the ruins a natural stop for anyone walking this stretch of the Soria countryside. It is a destination for travellers looking for quiet, history, and landscape rather than conventional sightseeing.

Why are there so many abandoned villages in Soria?

Soria is the least densely populated province in Spain, sometimes nicknamed Spain's Lapland because of its vast, sparsely inhabited territory. Rural-to-urban migration during the 20th century emptied out dozens of villages across the region, and San Asenjo is one of them. For travellers, this means the chance to experience an authentic, raw stretch of the Castilian countryside where the history of settlement — and its decline — is almost tangible.

How do you get to San Asenjo?

The starting point is the municipality of Espeja de San Marcelino, from which local roads and paths lead toward the abandoned settlement. Given its small scale and character, a visit is best planned as part of a longer trip through the villages of Soria province, combined with a stop in Espeja itself and the surrounding hamlets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does anyone live in San Asenjo today? No. San Asenjo is officially a despoblado — it was completely depopulated by 1981 and has had no permanent residents since.

How many people used to live in San Asenjo? According to available records, San Asenjo had 39 inhabitants and 25 buildings in 1910.

Which municipality does San Asenjo belong to? San Asenjo administratively belongs to the municipality of Espeja de San Marcelino, in the province of Soria, Castile and León.

What is there to see when visiting San Asenjo? Mainly the ruins of the former village buildings and the surrounding countryside, crossed by a walking trail linking Espeja and Hontoria.