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'''Castro Urdiales''' is a seaport of northern [[Spain]], in the [[autonomous community]] of [[Cantabria]], situated on the [[bay of Biscay]].
'''Castro Urdiales''' is a seaport of northern [[Spain]], in the [[autonomous community]] of [[Cantabria]], situated on the [[bay of Biscay]].
⚫
[[File:Sta Maria de la Asuncion - Castro Urdiales.jpg|thumb|left||Santa María de la Asuncion Church, apse]]
Castro Urdiales is a modern town, although its castle and the Gothic-style parish church of ''Santa María de la Asunción'', date from the [[Middle Ages]]. Its chief industries are tourism, fishing, and the preservation of fish, especially sardines and anchovies, in oil. The Lolin anchovy canning factory serves as a reminder of the town's closeness to this industry and its proximity to the sea.
Castro Urdiales is a modern town, although its castle and the Gothic-style parish church of ''Santa María de la Asunción'', date from the [[Middle Ages]]. Its chief industries are tourism, fishing, and the preservation of fish, especially sardines and anchovies, in oil. The Lolin anchovy canning factory serves as a reminder of the town's closeness to this industry and its proximity to the sea.


Tourism has greatly increased in Castro Urdiales in the last thirty years; many people from Bilbao and other parts of the Basque Country and Cantabria as well as Northern Spain in general keep summer homes in the town. Although the number of people registered in the town is around 32,000, the summer population can double or even triple this figure.The town is popular because of its beaches and scenic harbor. The commercial fishing industry is declining and may soon be eradicated completely.
Tourism has greatly increased in Castro Urdiales in the last thirty years; many people from Bilbao and other parts of the Basque Country and Cantabria as well as Northern Spain in general keep summer homes in the town. Although the number of people registered in the town is around 32,000, the summer population can double or even triple this figure.The town is popular because of its beaches and scenic harbor. The commercial fishing industry is declining and may soon be eradicated completely.
[[file:CastroUrdiales-v11.JPG|thumb|240px|Castle]]
==History==
==History==
[[File:Puerto de Castro-Urdiales.jpg|thumb|left||Port of Castro Urdiales. In the background the church of Santa María de la Asunción, the lighthouse of the Castle of Santa Ana and the medieval bridge.]]
Castro Urdiales was originally called '''Portus Amanus''', and was the chief city of the [[Autrigones]]. In AD 74 a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] colony was established under the name '''Flaviobriga''', during the reign of emperor [[Vespasian]]. It was most likely established to mine the abundant iron in the area.<ref>http://www.muskiz.org/english/historia.php 30 May 2008</ref>
Castro Urdiales was originally called '''Portus Amanus''', and was the chief city of the [[Autrigones]]. In AD 74 a [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] colony was established under the name '''Flaviobriga''', during the reign of emperor [[Vespasian]]. It was most likely established to mine the abundant iron in the area.<ref>http://www.muskiz.org/english/historia.php 30 May 2008</ref>


Line 68: Line 67:


It was destroyed by the French in 1813, but was speedily rebuilt and fortified. Its rapid rise in population and prosperity dates from the increased development of iron-mining and railway communication which took place after 1879.
It was destroyed by the French in 1813, but was speedily rebuilt and fortified. Its rapid rise in population and prosperity dates from the increased development of iron-mining and railway communication which took place after 1879.

==Featured landmarks==

The monumental complex of '''Castro Urdiales''' also known as ''Puebla Vieja'' has medieval origin and is located near the sea. It was declared a [[Conjunto histórico]] in 1978 because of its rich heritage is comprised of various monuments.

===Church of Santa María de la Asunción===
⚫
[[File:Sta Maria de la Asuncion - Castro Urdiales.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Santa María de la Asuncion Church, apse]]
The '''Church of Santa María de la Asunción''' is of [[Gothic]] style. Built under the protection of King [[Alfonso VIII of Castile]] in the 13th century (though it ended in the 15th century) is a basilica church consists of three naves. In the inside it can see the images of the White Virgin and the Reclining Christ, and the three gothic carvings of the [[Biblical Magi|Magi]]. It was declared a [[National Monument]] in 1931 (published in the Gazette of June 4, 1931) and published in the [[Boletín Oficial del Estado|BOE]] as of August 7, 2002.

Presenting the characteristics of the Gothic style (wide [[nave]]s, high [[vault]]s, [[flying buttress]]es and [[buttress]]es that support the weight of the building), the church of Santa María de la Asunción is a Catholic church under the title of Santa Maria Assunta. Belongs to the [[parish]] of Castro-Urdiales, of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Santander|Bishop of Santander]].

===Castle of Santa Ana===
Old castle located near the port and the church of Santa María de la Asunción, which in modern times has placed a lighthouse.

===Cultural Interest===
Besides the church, there are other cultural assets in Castro Urdiales, both monuments and archaeological sites:

====Monuments====
[[File:CastroUrdiales-v12.JPG|250px|thumb|Monument on the waterfront in Castro Urdiales.]]
[[File:Faro e Iglesia de Castro Urdiales.jpg|250px|thumb|Lighthouse, church and San Guillén.]]

* '''Palace, castle-observatory and Ocharan gardens''' protected since 1985. The castle-observatory dating back to 1914, work by local architect [[Eladio Laredo]], is of neo-Gothic style and is situated at Leonardo Rucabado street. The Ocharan Palace or Toki-Eder was built in 1901 also by the local architect Eladio Laredo. It is an [[eclectic]]-style building, has a portico of columns and other elements of Greek taste, and with a multicolored tile frieze designed by Daniel Zuloaga.
* '''Casa Sotileza''', currently being rehabilitated for housing. made by Leonardo Rucabado, is situated at the beginning of the Brazomar beach.
* '''Casa para Isidra del Cerro'''
* '''Casa de Los Chelines''', protected since 1991. It is a Gothic-style building, built in the early 20th century on the Plaza de España. He is currently privately owned and was declared of [[Bien de Interés Cultural]] in 1991.
* '''Chalet de los San Martín'''.
* '''Residencia Pedro Velarde'''.
* '''Whale's municipal cemetery'''..
* '''Mineral loading'''. in Mioño
* '''[[Ruins of the medieval tower of the Templars]]''', in Allendelagua, on the side of a mountain. The tower belonged to the Knights Templars and is currently in poor condition.

====Archaeological sites====
* '''Cave of El Cuco''', is located at west of the town. In its inside it can see rock carvings and paintings of the [[Upper Paleolithic]] period which depict animals such as [[deer]]s, [[goat]]s and [[horse]]s.
* '''Cave de La Lastrilla'''
* '''Cave Grande or de los Corrales'''
* '''Cave Aurelia'''
* '''[[Castro of la Peña de Sámano]]'''
* Castro Urdiales area where there are '''remains of Flavióbriga and the medieval village''' protected since 1996. The Flavióbriga archaeologica site is under the Old town, two meters deep. Also have been located the remains of a Roman colony of the year 74 it can visit in the [[Regional Museum of Prehistory and Archaeology of Cantabria]].
* '''[[Water driving of El Chorrillo]]'''. In 2006 was declared [[Bien de Interés Cultural]], with the category of archaeological site, being a work of hydraulic engineering of the [[Romanization of Hispania|Roman time]].<ref>[http://boc.gobcantabria.es/boc/datos/MES%202006-03/OR%202006-03-21%20056/PDF/3465-3466.pdf Government of Cantabria, notificación del decreto]</ref>

===Others===
Also are protected properties of the municipality, they are Inventory properties:

* The '''Tower-House of Los Otañes''', in Otañes.
The '''ruins of the Hospital de la Vera Cruz''', in Islares.

Other buildings worth mentioning are:

* '''City Hall''': located in the City Hall Square or Plaza de España. It is a 16th century building.
* '''Casa de la Naturaleza''': Old stone house at the end of the promenade of the Brazomar beach. Is currently used for exhibition displays related to nature and the environment.
* '''Tower-House of Cerdigo''': tower-house built in Cerdigo between the 17th and 18th centuries. The shield supported by [[Lion (heraldry)|lions]].
* '''Archaelogical site of Patera de Otañes''' located in the village of Otañes, this site shows the importance of the area in Roman times. Notable among his remains the gold and silver patera that was declared of Cultural Interest in 2000.
* '''Roman mile-stone''', is located opposite the Church of Santa María but was found in Otañes. Data from year 61 and as usual mark the distance to [[Pisoraca]]. Has an inscription that reads "Nero Claudius, son of the divine Claudius, Caesar, Augustus, Germanicus, Pontifex maximus, with the tribunician power for eighth time, the empire for ninth and the consulate for fourth. From Pisoraca one hundred and eighty miles".
* '''Iglesia de San Pedro''' dates from the 11th century and is therefore the oldest building preserved. Of Romanesque style has a rectangular and a cover with a pointed arch. Was also an Castro council meeting.
* '''The Hermitage of Santa Ana''': rectangular hermitage and open to the outside roof on wood.
* '''The San Guillén''': located down the Hermitage of Santa Ana, is the place of repair of boats and traditional bathing area. In summer there is a "fiesta of the bath" with ancient costumes.

===Lighthouse of the Castle of Santa Ana===
[[File:Castro Urdiales night.jpg|thumb|250px|Church of Santa María de la Asunción and the lighthouse of the castle of Santa Ana. The lighthouse was lit for the first time during the reign of Isabella II.]]

The [[lighthouse]] and the [[castle]] in which it is bound, are located in the Old part of town, next to the Gothic church of Santa María. It was built during the 13th and 14th centuries. It consists of a pentagonal floor and reinforced walls in its corners.

The lighthouse was lit for the first time on November 19, 1853, during the reign of [[Isabella II of Spain|Isabella II]]. The focal plan is at 49 msl and 16.49 m above the ground. Initially had a lighting system based on an oil lamp with reflex reflector optics fixed, which revolved around two vertical red filter lenses on a circular car, powered by a [[clockwork]] machine. Subsequently the oil lamp was replaced by a Maris of one wick and in February of 1919 it introduced a power system. The next reform added two more field lenses and a float of mercury, along with a new cylindrical [[flashlight]].

The last works have installed a spiral uprights lantern, from the [[Lighthouse of Adra]], and a new light installation made up of several rotating panels with sealed beam lamp and lighting of low voltage reserve.

Note that the lighthouse is attached to the port through the '''medieval bridge''', also called Old Bridge.


==Twin towns==
==Twin towns==

Revision as of 01:23, 29 May 2011

Castro Urdiales
Municipality
200px
View of Castro Urdiales, Brazomar beach
Flag of Castro Urdiales
Flag
Coat of arms of Castro Urdiales
Coat of arms
Location of Castro Urdiales
Location of Castro Urdiales
Country Spain
Autonomous community Cantabria
ProvinceCantabria
ComarcaEastern coast of Cantabria
FoundedFlaviobriga 74 AD
Government
 • AlcaldeFernando Muguruza Galán (2007) (Ind.)
Area
 • Total96.72 km2 (37.34 sq mi)
Elevation
19 m (62 ft)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total32,258
 • Density330/km2 (860/sq mi)
DemonymCastreños
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
39700
WebsiteOfficial website

Castro Urdiales is a seaport of northern Spain, in the autonomous community of Cantabria, situated on the bay of Biscay. Castro Urdiales is a modern town, although its castle and the Gothic-style parish church of Santa María de la Asunción, date from the Middle Ages. Its chief industries are tourism, fishing, and the preservation of fish, especially sardines and anchovies, in oil. The Lolin anchovy canning factory serves as a reminder of the town's closeness to this industry and its proximity to the sea.

Tourism has greatly increased in Castro Urdiales in the last thirty years; many people from Bilbao and other parts of the Basque Country and Cantabria as well as Northern Spain in general keep summer homes in the town. Although the number of people registered in the town is around 32,000, the summer population can double or even triple this figure.The town is popular because of its beaches and scenic harbor. The commercial fishing industry is declining and may soon be eradicated completely.

History

Port of Castro Urdiales. In the background the church of Santa María de la Asunción, the lighthouse of the Castle of Santa Ana and the medieval bridge.

Castro Urdiales was originally called Portus Amanus, and was the chief city of the Autrigones. In AD 74 a Roman colony was established under the name Flaviobriga, during the reign of emperor Vespasian. It was most likely established to mine the abundant iron in the area.[1]

In 1163 the town of Castro Urdiales received its municipal charter.[2] Castro Urdiales benefited much from trade with northern Europe and Castile.

It was destroyed by the French in 1813, but was speedily rebuilt and fortified. Its rapid rise in population and prosperity dates from the increased development of iron-mining and railway communication which took place after 1879.

The monumental complex of Castro Urdiales also known as Puebla Vieja has medieval origin and is located near the sea. It was declared a Conjunto histórico in 1978 because of its rich heritage is comprised of various monuments.

Church of Santa María de la Asunción

Santa María de la Asuncion Church, apse

The Church of Santa María de la Asunción is of Gothic style. Built under the protection of King Alfonso VIII of Castile in the 13th century (though it ended in the 15th century) is a basilica church consists of three naves. In the inside it can see the images of the White Virgin and the Reclining Christ, and the three gothic carvings of the Magi. It was declared a National Monument in 1931 (published in the Gazette of June 4, 1931) and published in the BOE as of August 7, 2002.

Presenting the characteristics of the Gothic style (wide naves, high vaults, flying buttresses and buttresses that support the weight of the building), the church of Santa María de la Asunción is a Catholic church under the title of Santa Maria Assunta. Belongs to the parish of Castro-Urdiales, of the Bishop of Santander.

Castle of Santa Ana

Old castle located near the port and the church of Santa María de la Asunción, which in modern times has placed a lighthouse.

Cultural Interest

Besides the church, there are other cultural assets in Castro Urdiales, both monuments and archaeological sites:

Monuments

Monument on the waterfront in Castro Urdiales.
Lighthouse, church and San Guillén.
  • Palace, castle-observatory and Ocharan gardens protected since 1985. The castle-observatory dating back to 1914, work by local architect Eladio Laredo, is of neo-Gothic style and is situated at Leonardo Rucabado street. The Ocharan Palace or Toki-Eder was built in 1901 also by the local architect Eladio Laredo. It is an eclectic-style building, has a portico of columns and other elements of Greek taste, and with a multicolored tile frieze designed by Daniel Zuloaga.
  • Casa Sotileza, currently being rehabilitated for housing. made by Leonardo Rucabado, is situated at the beginning of the Brazomar beach.
  • Casa para Isidra del Cerro
  • Casa de Los Chelines, protected since 1991. It is a Gothic-style building, built in the early 20th century on the Plaza de España. He is currently privately owned and was declared of Bien de Interés Cultural in 1991.
  • Chalet de los San Martín.
  • Residencia Pedro Velarde.
  • Whale's municipal cemetery..
  • Mineral loading. in Mioño
  • Ruins of the medieval tower of the Templars, in Allendelagua, on the side of a mountain. The tower belonged to the Knights Templars and is currently in poor condition.

Archaeological sites

Others

Also are protected properties of the municipality, they are Inventory properties:

  • The Tower-House of Los Otañes, in Otañes.

The ruins of the Hospital de la Vera Cruz, in Islares.

Other buildings worth mentioning are:

  • City Hall: located in the City Hall Square or Plaza de España. It is a 16th century building.
  • Casa de la Naturaleza: Old stone house at the end of the promenade of the Brazomar beach. Is currently used for exhibition displays related to nature and the environment.
  • Tower-House of Cerdigo: tower-house built in Cerdigo between the 17th and 18th centuries. The shield supported by lions.
  • Archaelogical site of Patera de Otañes located in the village of Otañes, this site shows the importance of the area in Roman times. Notable among his remains the gold and silver patera that was declared of Cultural Interest in 2000.
  • Roman mile-stone, is located opposite the Church of Santa María but was found in Otañes. Data from year 61 and as usual mark the distance to Pisoraca. Has an inscription that reads "Nero Claudius, son of the divine Claudius, Caesar, Augustus, Germanicus, Pontifex maximus, with the tribunician power for eighth time, the empire for ninth and the consulate for fourth. From Pisoraca one hundred and eighty miles".
  • Iglesia de San Pedro dates from the 11th century and is therefore the oldest building preserved. Of Romanesque style has a rectangular and a cover with a pointed arch. Was also an Castro council meeting.
  • The Hermitage of Santa Ana: rectangular hermitage and open to the outside roof on wood.
  • The San Guillén: located down the Hermitage of Santa Ana, is the place of repair of boats and traditional bathing area. In summer there is a "fiesta of the bath" with ancient costumes.

Lighthouse of the Castle of Santa Ana

Church of Santa María de la Asunción and the lighthouse of the castle of Santa Ana. The lighthouse was lit for the first time during the reign of Isabella II.

The lighthouse and the castle in which it is bound, are located in the Old part of town, next to the Gothic church of Santa María. It was built during the 13th and 14th centuries. It consists of a pentagonal floor and reinforced walls in its corners.

The lighthouse was lit for the first time on November 19, 1853, during the reign of Isabella II. The focal plan is at 49 msl and 16.49 m above the ground. Initially had a lighting system based on an oil lamp with reflex reflector optics fixed, which revolved around two vertical red filter lenses on a circular car, powered by a clockwork machine. Subsequently the oil lamp was replaced by a Maris of one wick and in February of 1919 it introduced a power system. The next reform added two more field lenses and a float of mercury, along with a new cylindrical flashlight.

The last works have installed a spiral uprights lantern, from the Lighthouse of Adra, and a new light installation made up of several rotating panels with sealed beam lamp and lighting of low voltage reserve.

Note that the lighthouse is attached to the port through the medieval bridge, also called Old Bridge.

Twin towns

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.muskiz.org/english/historia.php 30 May 2008
  2. ^ http://english.turismodecantabria.com/cantabria/historia4.asp 1 June 2008
  3. ^ Government of Cantabria, notificación del decreto

References

  • Charles Anthon, A System of Ancient and Mediæval Geography for the Use of Schools and Colleges, p. 57



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