Tarazona

Coordinates: 41°54′16″N 1°43′21″W / 41.90444°N 1.72250°W / 41.90444; -1.72250
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tarazona
Tarazona, 2015. Depicted are: Tarazona Cathedral and Seminary, Old Bullfight Arena, and Sanctuary of the Lady of the River
Tarazona, 2015. Depicted are: Tarazona Cathedral and Seminary, Old Bullfight Arena, and Sanctuary of the Lady of the River
Flag of Tarazona
Coat of arms of Tarazona
Tarazona is located in Spain
Tarazona
Tarazona
Location of Tarazona within Spain / Aragon
Tarazona is located in Aragon
Tarazona
Tarazona
Tarazona (Aragon)
Coordinates: 41°54′16″N 1°43′21″W / 41.90444°N 1.72250°W / 41.90444; -1.72250
Country Spain
Autonomous Community Aragon
ProvinceZaragoza
ComarcaTarazona y el Moncayo
MunicipalityTarazona
Founded1st century B.C
Government
 • MayorLuis María Beamonte (PP)
Area
 • Total244.01 km2 (94.21 sq mi)
Elevation
480 m (1,570 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total10,509
 • Density43/km2 (110/sq mi)
DemonymTuriasonense
Websitewww.tarazona.es

Tarazona is a town and municipality in the Tarazona y el Moncayo comarca, province of Zaragoza, in Aragon, Spain. It is the capital of the Tarazona y el Moncayo Aragonese comarca.[2] It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarazona.[3] Located on the river Queiles, a tributary of the Ebro,[4] Tarazona was an important regional centre of ancient Rome, known as Turiaso, located around 60 kilometres (37 mi) from Bilbilis. The city later came under the rule of the Visigoths, who called it Tirasona.[5]

History[edit]

Bust of Augustus found in Tarazona in 1980.

During the Roman era, Tarazona was a prosperous city whose inhabitants were full Roman citizens; it was known as Turiaso. The city declined after the fall of the Roman Empire, and later became a Muslim town in the 8th century.

Coat of arms of Tarazona in the iglesia de San Atilano.

It was conquered in 1119 by Alfonso I of Aragon and became the seat of the diocese of Tarazona. Construction on Tarazona Cathedral first began in the 12th century in the French Gothic style, and it was consecrated in 1232.

After the crucifixion of Alfonso I, Tarazona became a town situated on the frontiers between Castile, Navarre, and Aragon, and was thus of strategic importance.

During centuries of Arabic rule, the city's population was diverse, and Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together. The Muslim presence was evident in the local architecture; the cathedral itself was later rebuilt in Mudéjar style. The city suffered a terrible crisis when the Moriscos were expelled. During the War of the Two Peters, the city was occupied by Castilian troops for nine years, and the cathedral was damaged during this time.

In the 20th century, Tarazona became an important producer of matches and textiles, but these industries were replaced by others from the 1980s onwards.

The city is now an important tourist destination with various restaurants and hotels.

Twin towns - sister cities[edit]

Town State/Region Country
Orthez Pyrénées-Atlantiques  France

Gallery[edit]

Other towns within the municipality[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ^ "Tarazona y el Moncayo, comarca de". Gran Enciclopedia Aragonesa. 26 September 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
  3. ^ "Archidiócesis de Tarragona - Conferencia Episcopal Española". Conferencia Episcopal Española (in Spanish). Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  4. ^ Stalls (2022). Possessing the Land: Aragon's Expansion into Islam's Ebro Frontier under Alfonso the Battler (1104-1134). BRILL. p. 207.
  5. ^ "Turiaso | British Museum". British Museum. Retrieved 28 March 2024. Bilbilis Augusta

External links[edit]