Mondariz – Balneario

Mondariz-Balneario
—  Municipality  —

Coat of arms
Location of the municipality of Mondariz-Balneario within Galicia.
Mondariz-Balneario
Location of Mondariz-Balneario within Spain
Coordinates:
Country Spain
Region Galicia
Province Pontevedra
County O Condado
Granted municipality status 30 November 1924
Parish Mondariz-Balneario
Government
 • Type Mayor-council
 • Body Concello da Moi Hospitalaria Vila de Mondariz Balneario
 • Mayor José Antonio Lorenzo Rodríguez (People's Party of Galicia)
Area
 • Total 2.4 km2 (0.9 sq mi)
Population (2009)
 • Total 726
Demonym Mondaricense del Balneario
Website http://www.mondarizbalneario.es/

Mondariz–Balneario is a town and municipality in Galicia, Spain. It has the distinction of being the smallest municipality in Spain.

Ancient and medieval history

It is known through archaeological remains that the site now occupied by the town was inhabited from prehistoric times, which establishes the existence of a fort in the Coto Cividade as well as in Roman times, as in Pious neighboring parish are remains of Roman amphorae, various ceramic and bronze coins confirming the occupation.

However, the finding of greater magnitude and Roman is the best proof that Mondariz Spa was Romanized, are remains of a Roman road near the stands, on or river Tea, Cernadela bridge, also of Roman origin.

For many historians, the road could have been part of one of three branches in which military means dividing the fourth Braga to Astorga, for in the "Itinerary" described by Antoninus Pius, the road went from "Tude" (Tui ) to "Aquae Calidade" (current Caldas de Reis), passing to it by the localities of O Porrino, "Burba and Arcade among others.

"Burba" was a mansion in the "Itinerary" Roman step appeared at a distance of Tui sixteen Roman miles, which places it in a place near the bridge Cernadela.

But not only is this fact, the description of the Tui distance from the location of the mansion, which led many historians to believe that "Burba had its location between the municipalities of Spa and Mondariz Mondariz since a etymological study of the noun "Burba" seems to confirm the fact.

Thus the name "Burba" has similarities with words such as "Boiler" and "burbulla" which derive from the Latin "bullous" (bubble) and "noise" (bubble) and that cross in the 17th century with the word "fervor "resulted in" Borbor "a term that led to the current" gush "and" burbulla.

Therefore, the perception that "Burba" referred to the explosion of bubbles that caused the release of free carbon dioxide in the water, as in Troncoso, on the banks of the River Tea, a phenomenon whose observation could lead to subsequent designation of the mansion.

Centuries later, specifically in the s. VII AD, Ravenna anonymous or "Ravenate" called this house "Bonisana", a name that could refer to the proper location at both the weather and topography of the area and its healthy waters, which added to the Roman remains above becomes more than likely the site of the Burba.

Finally, say that after the Romans, this town suffered no resettlement with Muslim peoples who occupied part of the mainland is not the opposite, as it increased its inhabitants who fled their villages fall under Arab rule, reaching count, as reflected in the census of the Diocese of Tui, with 160 "neighbors", equivalent to 800 inhabitants.

In medieval times, it is likely that the mineral water source from being used by Gandara neighbors Sobrosa castle dwellers, given the proximity of it. Tradition has it that in 1282 and in the chapel of San Pedro which is situated in this county, took place the link of King Diniz of Portugal to the Princess Isabella of Aragon, daughter of Peter III and later became known as Isabel of Portugal.

It is also said that many times the queen returned to the parish of Troncoso, which eventually led to Mondariz Spa, probably to take the waters.

Contemporary history

In the Old Regime, the current Wellness Mondariz territories belonged to the province of Tui, one of seven of the Kingdom of Galicia, which after the constitution promulgated by the Cortes of Cadiz of 1812 was renamed the province of Galicia only years later, specifically on 27 January 1822, Galicia was divided into two provinces, so that the territories were assigned to the new province of Vigo.

This situation remained only eleven years since the November 30, 1833, a second division of Galicia, since that benefited from the current four provinces and was the transfer of the jurisdiction of the area to the province of Pontevedra, what remains to this day.

When does the new division of municipalities of the province of Pontevedra in accordance with Royal Decree of 23 June 1835, Mondariz Spa has not as such, and does not even appear in the judicial district of Sanxenxo, so if the case today , not being a parish, since at the time was included in the parish of Mondariz even as a mere territory, as reflected in his writings Florida Blanca, was under the jurisdiction of Sobrosa, being dependent of Don Juan Lago , the Marquis de Valladares and the Marquis de Sobrosa.

This situation changed in 1904 when parish becomes Troncoso, a newly created parish whose territories were dispersed from the parish of Santa Eulalia de Mondariz dependent Mondariz parish. However, the real change he experienced in 1924.

This year, after the change of name to the parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and becomes smaller local authority under the Statute of 1924, managed to become an independent municipality on November 30 Mondariz named Wellness, referring host-medical establishment that had provided the necessary economic strength to support its Mondariz emancipation.

Thus, the history of Mondariz Spa is closely related to D. Sabino Peinador Enrique Vela, who made the aforementioned neighborhood Troncoso renowned spa, thanks to which we owe the appearance of the town where we are, the smallest in area (2.4 km2.) Throughout the national territory, as was the re-discoverer of the source of Gándara and superb promoter of the benefits of its waters.

Currently, the City of Mondariz Wellness Center, which since April 17, 1925 holds the title of "Very hospitable villa" granted by King Alfonso XIII and General Primo de Rivera in thanks to good treatment dispensed to the neighbors in his frequent visits to the Grand Hotel, is part of the province of Pontevedra in Condado.

External links