Counter Covers Route

The Counter Covers Route takes visitors around some of the main streets in the heart of San Esteban de la Sierra where we can admire the electricity meter covers decorated with drawings and interpretations inspired by the iconographic universe of traditional Serrano embroidery, declared a Cultural Heritage Asset by the Castilla y León regional government. This form of embroidery is highly characteristic of the entire Sierra de Francia region in the southeastern corner of the province of Salamanca. 

This initiative is part of the EnTre2 Plan, promoted by the Red Arrayán Association to recognize, safeguard and innovate this Intangible Cultural Heritage element across the entire Sierra de Francia region. The San Esteban City Council, local associations, and residents actively participate in initiatives such as the Municipal Beautification Program and the Cultural Workshops for Citizen Participation, where they use this heritage as the central theme. Additionally, they work to create other decorative and symbolic elements such as the “Serrano Banners”, which are showcased at various local festive events that are now famous throughout the Sierra. 

The Route

The main itinerary starts in the Plaza Mayor, continues along the Calle Bodeguitas towards the Plaza de la Iglesia, and comes back to the plaza through the Calle Hastial and Calle Manuel de Castro.

The drawings on the counter covers are mostly by José Ángel Poveda García, a local artist and promoter of the initiative, using the technique of artistic drawing on wood. However, many locals also wanted to take part in this initiative, so we can find “embroidered” counter covers throughout the village. Many of these were crafted in a series of ‘Cultural Workshops’ or by individuals who have used special techniques and whose off-route counter covers have unique characteristics. Popular Serrano embroidery as a whole has benefited from the community’s active participation and common purpose, achieving a valuable variety. 

Each of the 48 different drawings that we can find on the route showcase iconographic designs that are typical of popular Serrano embroidery. Specific information about them can be viewed through their QR codes. The codes also give access to more detailed information about the characteristics, origins and uniqueness of this Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Sierra de Francia .

The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Spain and the collaboration of the Town Council of San Esteban de la Sierra as well as the area of Culture of the Provincial Council of Salamanca.

Counter Covers in the Route