Berja

Berja, Spain

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Coordinates: 36°51′N 2°57′W / 36.850°N 2.950°W / 36.850; -2.950Coordinates: 36°51′N 2°57′W / 36.850°N 2.950°W / 36.850; -2.950
Country Spain
Community Andalusia
Municipality Almería
Government
 • Mayor Antonio Torres López (PP)
Area
 • Total 218 km2 (84 sq mi)
Elevation 335 m (1,099 ft)
Population (2005)
 • Total 14,249
 • Density 65/km2 (170/sq mi)
Time zone CET (UTC+1)
 • Summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)

Berja (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbeɾxa]) is a municipality, former bishopric and Latin titular see in Almería province, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, southern Spain.

It is located on the south-eastern slope of the Sierra de Gádor, 10 miles north-east of Adra by road.

History

Historical population
YearPop.±%
199913,317—    
200013,279−0.3%
200113,331+0.4%
200213,405+0.6%
200313,670+2.0%
200413,924+1.9%
200514,249+2.3%
Source: INE (Spain)

Berja may have Phoenician or Iberian origins; it was known to the Romans as Vergis or Vergium, and it was part of the province of Baetica. There are Roman remains in the Villa Vieja: an amphitheater and an aqueduct, and mosaics whose style and production are similar to those found in Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Church of Berja

Saint Ctesiphon (San Tesifón), patron saint of the town, is said to have preached in the area in the first century, bringing Christianity to the town. From this era are conserved coins, crosses and a sarcophagus found in the neighborhood of Alcaudique, which is now in the National Archaeological Museum (Museo Arqueológico Nacional). A reproduction exists in the Museum of Almería.

The site suffered an earthquake in the fifth century, and the Roman town subsequently dissolved into various smaller communities, one of which –Berja- became the dominant one. After the Moorish invasion of Iberia in the eighth century, the town was known as Berja, and a fortress was built in the town. Remains of Moorish baths can still be seen in the neighborhood of Benejí.

It was occupied by Christian forces in 1489 during the Reconquista. The Morisco Revolt in 1568 led to many deaths in Berja, which was nearly depopulated after the end of the uprising. In autumn of 1588 two hermits arrived in Berja named Domingo de San Juan and Juan de Santa María, who founded in the depopulated area of Pixnela the sanctuary dedicated to a patroness of Berja: the Virgen de Gádor (Virgin of Gádor, also in Almeria province).

Berja would be administered from Ugíjar until October 29, 1753, when it was allowed to have its own mayor, forming part of the administrative area of Las Alpujarras, within the old kingdom of Granada. On August 25, 1804, another earthquake destroyed much of the town.

Under the regency of Maria Christina of Austria, Javier de Burgos used his influence to turn Spain's antiquated administrative system into a provincial one, advocating the need for a centralized government. In 1833, Las Alpujarras was divided into two zones: one remained part of the province of Granada, Berja fell within the other which was part of the province of Almería.

Exploitation of the lead mines in Berja began in the 19th century, and the city consequently flourished during this time.

Ecclesiastical history

Saint Ctesiphon (San Tesifón), patron saint of the town, is said to have preached in the area in the first century, bringing Christianity to Roman Vergi(um). It was made a bishopric around 500, but that was suppressed circa 711, due to the Moorish conquest. No resident incumbents available.

Titular see

In 1969 the diocese was nominally restored as Titular bishopric named Vergi (Curiate Italian), Latin adjective Vergen(sis).

It had the following incumbents, so far of the fitting Episcopal (lowest) rank:[1]

Economy

Solar plant on the peak of Montivel mountain

The city was once known for its lead mines, but these are now closed. From the 16th century, the city began production of a wine whose cultivation was commercialized in the 19th century under the brand name Salobra. The city has a solar plant that was opened on December 12, 2007. It stands on the peak of the mountain Montivel.[2]

Climate

Berja has one of the sunniest, warmest and driest climates in Mediterranean Europe. It's located in a Semi-Arid climate zone.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Berja.
  1. ↑ http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/former/t1952.htm
  2. ↑ Planta de energía solar en Berja Archived July 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine.
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