Monzón
Monzón | |
|---|---|
 The castle in Monzón. | |
 Flag  Coat of arms | |
| Motto(s): Monzón, cuna de deportistas(Monzón, the cradle of athletes) | |
 Thecomarcaof Cinca Medio, of which the capital is in Monzón, in Aragon. | |
  Monzón Location in Spain  Monzón Monzón (Spain) | |
| Coordinates:41°54′36″N0°11′24″E/ 41.91000°N 0.19000°E | |
| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community |  Aragon |
| Province | Huesca |
| Comarca | Cinca Medio |
| Government | |
| •Alcalde | Álvaro Burrell (PSOE-Aragón) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 155.01 km2(59.85 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 273 m (896 ft) |
| Population (2018)[1] | |
| • Total | 17,061 |
| • Density | 110/km2(290/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Montisonense |
| Time zone | UTC+1(CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2(CEST) |
| Postal code | 22400 |
| Website | Official website |
Monzónis a small city and municipality in the autonomous community ofAragon,Spain. Its population was 17,176 as of 2014.[2]It is in the northeast (specifically theCinca Mediodistrict of theprovince of Huesca) and adjoins the riversCincaand Sosa.
Historical overview[edit]
Prehistory and Old Age[edit]
The first signs of continuous human occupation in the area of Monzón come fromNeolithic.There have been found some archaeological remains from that era in the Sosiles Altos and Peña Lucas deposits. Most vestiges of settlement come from the Bronze Age, where it is assumed that people settled in the area between the riversCinca,Sosaand clamor. TheIlergeteswere the people occupying these areas; their defeat in the 3rd century BC led to the Romanization of the area from the 2nd century BC. In the hills and cells of theErmita de la Alegría(the shrine of Joy) were found remains of Roman dwellings, this area being a key node connecting the cities ofCaesaraugustaandOscawithItaly.[3][4][5]
Middle Ages[edit]
Muslim Era[edit]
At the time of Muslim domination Monzón was disputed by theBanu Sabritfrom Huesca andBanu Qasifrom Zaragoza. It belonged to theBanu Hudin the 11th century and was taken byEl Cidin 1083. The Christians were interested to conquer Monzón in order to cut communications between thetaifakingdoms ofZaragozaandLleida.The infantPedro Ireconquered Monzón in 1089 during the reign of his fatherSancho Ramírez.Sancho Ramírez created theKingdom of Monzónfor theinfant,future Pedro I, before he became king of Aragon. This situation lasted until 1126, when it reverted to Muslim hands for four years. Between 1130 and 1136 it was held by Christians, who lost the town in the period 1136-1141 to finally win her back.[6]1143 happened to belong to the Templars.
Christian Era[edit]
TheCathedral de Santa María del Romeral(Saint Mary of the Rosemary Field), grew from the 9th centuryTorre del Homenajewhich hosted kings and nobles. Here in 1109Urraca of Castilemarried her second husbandAlfonso I( "The Battler" ) despite the Church's objections concerning consanguinity.
During medieval times Monzón was a stronghold of theKnights Templarbecause of its strategic location between the Segre andCincavalleys.[citation needed]It was also as an important center for joint legislative sessions for the various segments of Aragon, especially between the 13th and 17th centuries because of its location betweenZaragozaandBarcelona.TheTeutonic Knightswere also known to have had a commandery here since 1222.
During the 12th century Monzón was ruled by the infantRamiro de Navarra,Tizón andGarcía Ramírezbefore his proclamation asKing of Navarreamong others. When in 1143 theKnights Templarassigns its rights to theCrown of Aragonreceives in exchange theCastle of Monzónamong others, where the main task of the Crown of Aragon happened. The most historically important event in this period is the enforced residence ofJames I( "The Conqueror" ) who spent part of his youth in Monzón. After his fatherPeter II( "The Catholic" ) died in theBattle of Muret(1213); theKnights Templarin Monzon served as the young king's guardians and tutors. When thePope Clement Vextinguishes theKnights Templar,some parcels like Monzón resisted, and it was not until 1309 when it was conquered. In 1317 passes to sanjuanistas hands, although the hosts will lose its power gradually. Monzón also hosted numerous times theCortesof theCrown of Aragon,between the 13th to 17th centuries. TheCathedral of Santa María del RomeralofRomanesqueand thecastlewith its origins in the 9th century (Torre del Homenaje) welcomed the king and hisnobles.
Modern and Contemporary Age[edit]
In this town theCardinal RichelieuandGaspar de Guzmán, Count-Duke of Olivaressigned atreatyhere, ending the conflict overValtellinein 1626.
During theCatalan RevoltMonzón was taken by the French-Catalan troops run byPhilippe de La Mothe-Houdancourtin 1642 and, the following year, by the Castilian troops ofFelipe da Silva.
The Castle of Monzón is considered a strategic enclave, was also occupied by the French during theWar of Independenceand recovered in 1814 as national cause by the troops ofGeneral Coponsin a bold ploy due to the Spanish military of Flemish originsJuan Van Halen,later Lieutenant General, who had conqueredLéridaandMequinenzaby the same way.
Industry and communications[edit]
The industrial tradition of Monzón began early in the 20th century with the construction of a sugar factory which later was moved toJerez de la Frontera.After theSpanish Civil War,some new industries were incorporated such Hidro Nitro Spanish (HNE), Aiscondel, Etino-QuímicaPolidux,Monsanto-Aiscondel,among others. It also appeared a factory wire, nails and corrugated. Thisindustrializationwas possible thanks to the geographical situation of the town, an hour and a half far from the border andZaragozaas well as by its good communications such as roads linking withZaragozaandLleida,the highway (A-22) communicating withPamplonaand the railway line that communicates withBarcelona,northern Spain andZaragozaandLleidato connect with theAVE,the high speed train.
Culture[edit]
Themusicis represented by Grupo Folclórico de Nuestra Señora de la Alegría,Municipal Band "La Lira"the Coral Montisonense and the Conservatory of Music "Miguel Fleta" that have come new groups likeEnsemble XXI.Within the panorama ofrock,there are large groups such as those ofblack metallike Ouija, Temple Abattoir and Spellcraft. In other aspects of the culture of Monzón highlight the numerous fairs like the Aragonese book orFLA,retractsand the art fair artery. There are also noteworthy various contests ofpaintingandnarrativeas well as several cultural concentrations of various kinds and the feast ofSaint Barbara martyrin which it is performed the traditional Bautizo del Alcalde (Baptism of the Mayor) and the festivities in honor ofSaint Matthewduring the week of September 21 andpilgrimagethat achievesEaster Mondayto the Ermita de la Alegría (Hermitage of the Virgin of the Joy).
Sport[edit]
Clubs[edit]
The localassociation footballteam isAtlético Monzón.
Tournaments[edit]
The women'stennistournamentTorneo Conchita Martínezis hosted every year and is part of theITF Women's Circuit.
Players and athletes[edit]
Monzón has been home to sportsmen and women likeConchita Martínez,the first Spanish woman to winWimbledon,andEliseo Martín,bronze medal winner in the 3000 m steeplechase in the Paris World Championships (2003) — the only non-African athlete to get a medal in those championships since 1993.
Monzón has been home to Olympic athletes, including Javier Moracho (110 m hurdles) — Spanish record holder for almost 20 years — the decathlete Álvaro Burrell, and the renowned pole vaulter Javier Gazol.
Hydrology[edit]
Monzón is crossed by the riversSosaandCinca.The latter is the most important because it has higherflowthanks to the amount ofsnowin its head. In the first one, despite its very little flow, it is remarkable the engineering work in Siphon of the Sosa, a viaduct over the river which flows the Aragon and Catalonia Canal, which was inaugurated in early 20th century by KingAlfonso XIIIto extend irrigation to the eastern part of the province
Monzón is one of the largestagriculturaland industrial populations in the region thanks to theAragon and Catalonia Canal.
Places of interest[edit]
- ElCastillo Templario(The Castle of the Knights Templar)
- LaCatedral de Santa María del Romeral(The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Rosemary Field,12th and 13th centuries)
- El Convento de San Francisco (Saint Francis Convent,now dedicated to musical education and headquarters of the orchestral groupEnsemble XXI)
- La Ermita de la Virgen de la Alegría (The Happiness Virgin Shrine,from the 17th century)
- Major House (16th and 17th centuries)
- La Puerta de Luzán (Luzán Gate)
Notable people from Monzón[edit]
- Eliseo Martín(born 1973): long-distance runner specialized in3000 metres steeplechase.
- Conchita Martínez(born 1972): former tennis player andWimbledonChampion in 1994.
- José Luis Mumbiela Sierra(born 1969): Roman Catholic clergyman and Bishop of the Holy Trinity Diocese inAlmaty.
- Javier Moracho(born 1957): retiredhurdlerwinner at theEuropean Indoor Championshipsin 1986 and silver medal winner at the inauguralWorld Indoor Gamesin 1985.
- Barón de Eroles (1860–1941): lawyer and philanthropist who brought to Monzón one of the first X-ray machines in Spain.
- Reverendo Vicente Pilzano y Ezquerra: before the 18th century, he wrote important chronicles about the city.
- Ignacio de Luzán(1702–54): his poetry is studied in universities all around the world.
- José Mor de Fuentes: naval engineer and writer, author of books includingLa Serafina,La fonda de París,El calavera,A la muerte de Lord Byron,andLos nuevos desengaños.
- Joaquín Costa y Martínez(1846–1911): one of the greatest men of theRegeneracionismo.He developed theories about education, water management and agricultural politics that were followed throughout the 20th century.Oligarquía y Caciquismois one of his best books.
- Mariano de Pano y Ruata (1847–1948): He was president of the Ateneo and Academia de Bellas Artes de San Luis. He was the official chronicler of the monasterio de Sijena and of the Real Academia de la Historia. His best books areLas coplas del Peregrino,Puey de Monzón,Viaje a la Meca en el siglo XVIandLa condesa de Bureta doña Consolidación de Azlor.
- Joaquín de Pano y Ruata (1849–1919): engineer, ornithologist, filologue, translator of several languages, including Chinese and Japanese. He designed bridges in Monzón and one of them served as the model for bridges inZaragoza.
- Ramiro Sáncez of Monzón(1070-1116): Lord of Monzón andLogroñoand father ofGarcía Ramírez of Navarre.
- John of Montson(c. 1340-1412):Dominicantheologian and controversialist.
- Elijah ben Joseph Chabillo:philosopher and translator.
Twin towns[edit]
Notes and references[edit]
- ^Municipal Register of Spain 2018.National Statistics Institute.
- ^Instituto Nacional de Estadistica[1]Accessed March 21, 2013.
- ^Galiay, J.:La dominación romana en Aragón;Zaragoza, 1946.
- ^Lostal, J.:Arqueología del Aragón romano;Zaragoza, 1980.
- ^Martín-Bueno, M.:Aragón Arqueológico;Zaragoza, 1977
- ^Ubieto 1981, p.180.Already conquered by Sancho Ramirez and Pedro I, Ramón Berenguer III lost for treason in 1127, reconquered in 1130
External links[edit]
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| Geographic | |
