Ágreda

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Ágreda, Spain
Coat of arms of Ágreda, Spain
Coat of arms
Nickname: Ville of Agreda
Country Spain
Autonomous community Castile and León
Province Soria
Municipality Ágreda
Area
 - Total 165 km² (63.7 sq mi)
Elevation 929 m (3,048 ft)
Population (2004)
 - Total 3,215
 - Density 19.5/km² (50.5/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 - Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 48100
Area code(s) 34 (Spain) + 976 (Agreda)

Ágreda is a town located in the province of Soria, Castile and León, Spain.

Ágreda is the regional services center in the Northeast of the province of Soria. Its abundant heritage as well as the local fiestas of the virgin, and San Miguel Arcángel attract a large number of tourists.

Contents

[edit] History

In the current location of the town there was an ancient celtiberic settlement. During the middle age Ágreda became more significant as a strategic border location between the kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, as well as an important center of the arts and handcrafts where Christians, Jews and Arab-descendants lived in peace. Ágreda is therefore known as the town of the three cultures. Saint María de Jesús, born and resident in Ágreda, was a visionary nun and counselor of the king Philip IV. She received considerable benefits from the monarch for this region of Spain.

[edit] Demography

Ágreda (Soria)
year 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000
Population 3.210 3.094 3.207 3.273 3.294 3.525 3.624 3.588 3.637 3.635 3.260

[edit] Sightseeing

  • Arab wall
  • Arab district
  • Gate to the Arab district
  • Gate of Alcázar
  • Church of San Miguel, gothic style of the 15th century with a romanesque tower of the 12th centery and an impressive 16th Century altarpiece painted by Pedro Aponte and commissioned by Doctor Don Garcia Fernandez de Carrascón (ca 1480-1533), archpriest of Agreda, Traesurer of the Cathedral of Tarazona, personal doctor to Pope Adrian VI and canon of the Cathedral of Toledo, Spain.
  • Church of Virgen de la Peña, romanesque of the 12th century
  • Church of Nuestra Señora de los Milagros, 16th century
  • Monastery of La Concepción, founded in the 18th century by María de Jesús, where her body rests.
  • Palace of los Castejones, 17th century
  • Renaissance garden of Don Diego de Castejón.
  • Museum of sacred art of Nuestra Señora de la Peña.
  • The synagogue, ancient and small church of romanesque style of the 12th century, built over an ancient synagogue.

[edit] Economy

Agriculture, stock farming, industry (automotive and engineering), tourism, comerce y services

[edit] Personalities

  • Venerable María Jesús de Ágreda, writer and nun
  • Fermín Cacho, athlete
  • María Jesús Ruiz Ruiz, mayor of Ágreda and vicepresident of the Castile and León Government
  • Doctor Don Garcia Fernandez de Carrascón (ca 1480-1533), priest and doctor to Pope Adrian VI

[edit] External links