Huéscar

Huéscar
Municipality

Flag

Coat of arms

Location of Huéscar
Huéscar

Location in Spain

Coordinates: 37°48′N 2°32′W / 37.800°N 2.533°W
Country  Spain
Autonomous community  Andalusia
Province Granada
Comarca Comarca de Huéscar
Judicial district Huéscar
Government
  Mayor Agustín Gallego Chillón
Area
  Total 468 km2 (181 sq mi)
Elevation 953 m (3,127 ft)
Population (2009)
  Total 8,232
  Density 18/km2 (46/sq mi)
Demonym Oscenses
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
  Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 18830
Dialing code (+34) 958
Website Official website

Huéscar (Latin: Osca) is a municipality of the province of Granada, Spain.

History

When the Iberian Peninsula was conquered by Rome, Osca was a town of the Turdetani, and incorporated into the Roman province of Hispania Baetica.[1] However, purportedly ancient coins from this town are not genuine.[2]

Between 1809 and 1981, Huéscar was at war with Denmark, as a result of the Napoleonic wars over Spain, where Denmark supported the French Empire.

This official declaration of war was forgotten until it was discovered by a local historian in 1981, followed by the signing of a peace treaty on 11 November 1981 by the city mayor and the Ambassador of Denmark.

Not a single shot was fired during the 172 years of war, and nobody was killed or injured.[3]

Main sights

The main landmark is the Collegiate Church of St. Mary the Major, designed by Diego de Siloé in the 16th century.

Sister cities

Huéscar is twinned with:

References

  1. Ptolemy ii. 4. § 12; Pliny ii. 1. s. 3.
  2. Florez, Med.,; Sestini, p. 78; Théodore Edme Mionnet, i. p. 43, Suppl. i. p. 40; Sestini, p. 78.
  3. "Ministry of foreign affairs of Denmark".