Peñaranda de Duero

Penaranda de Duero is a municipality ( municipio ) with 569 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2013) in the Spanish province of Burgos in the autonomous community of Castile -Leon. The place was as a cultural ( Bien de Interès Cultural ) recognized in the category Conjunto histórico - artístico.

Location

Penaranda de Duero is located on the north shore of the Río Arandilla, a northern tributary of the River Duero about 19 km ( driving distance ) east of Aranda de Duero, and about 100 kilometers south of Burgos, at a height of 798 meters above sea level. inst Castle Hill. 's about 60 meters higher.

Toponym

The name Penaranda is made up of the words Penna and Aranda, which are derived from the Celtic Pen- Nos ( " head height, Peak " ) and Arauta or Aranda ( " water in motion, wave, river ' ).

Demographics

In the second half of the 19th century until 1960, the place had always to 1,500 inhabitants. Due to the mechanization of agriculture, the population has been declining since the mid-20th century.

Economy

The small town was formed in the Middle Ages the craft and mercantile center of several villages and farmsteads in the area. Today is - in addition to the wine - tourism is the main source of income of the municipality.

History

Already in pre-Roman times the area was inhabited by Penaranda de Duero. After the Islamic conquest of the Iberian peninsula, depopulated the area and was only after the successful reconquest of Toledo ( 1085 ) under Alfonso VI. repopulated ( repoblación ). Shortly after, a first castle ( castillo ), but which has been refurbished in the 16th century.

Attractions

• At the Plaza Mayor borders beautiful half-timbered houses, which rest on large stone pillars. In the middle of the encircled by columns or Arkadenbauten square there is a court imposing column or pillory ( rollo ) from the late 15th century.
• The western façade, which was built in the years after 1540 the former collegiate church of Santa Ana has remained unfinished. The portal dates from the 18th century; at the same time the interior of the church was remodeled in baroque and classical style. The main altar was designed by the architect Ventura Rodríguez. Before the portal are eight monolithic columns with capitals - were brought on behalf of the sixth Earl of Miranda from Naples - as well as the three busts of Roman emperors.
• The Gothic pillory, perhaps the most beautiful in the province of Burgos, shows on the face of lion with mane, in which three shields are carved depicting the coats of arms of families and Zúñiga Avellaneda. Originally, it was - as in the province of Burgos, but also common elsewhere - outside the city walls, but was in 1959 moved to the Plaza Mayor, where they have since used as a decorative element.
• The palace was built in the 16th century ( Palacio de los Zúñiga y Avellaneda ) was given in 1530 by Francisco de Zúñiga y Avellaneda, the third Earl of Miranda, in order. It was designed by Francisco de Colonia and is considered one of the most beautiful secular buildings of the Renaissance in Spain. Portal and two-storey courtyard are kept Plateresque. Inside the palace there are rooms with beautiful coffered ceilings; Also worth seeing is the elegant staircase. Today the palace is located in a study center.
• The Botica de los Ximeno is the oldest pharmacy in Spain and still contains a fully preserved original features from the 18th century. It was founded in the late 17th century by Andrés Ximeno Camarero for his son Lucas Ximeno Briongos and remained until 1960, seven generations in the family. Then it was purchased by the city and reopened as a museum.
• The Castle of Penaranda de Duero was built in the 11th century during the Reconquista, to ward off further attacks of the Moors, or at least stop. For this reason it was originally constructed as a defense. At that time ran along the River Duero, the boundary between the Moors and the Christians. Later, their simple design has been changed; its present form dates from the 16th century. The once only accessible through a drawbridge castle - alongside in Frías - the most worth seeing of the province of Burgos. It is similar in position and design of Peñafiel in the province of Valladolid.
• From the late medieval city wall ( muralla ) from the 15th century are still some sections; worth the Puerta de Muralla, with its coat of arms and shell decorated pediment.
• The Karmelitinnenkonvent ( Convento del Carmen ) was the Duque de Penaranda, D. Juan de Zúñiga, founded in the 16th century. The partially baroque interior of the church was built in the 18th century.