Guadalajara, Castile-La Mancha

Guadalajara [ gu̯aðalaxaɾa ] is the capital of the Spanish province and is located about 53 km north of the capital, Madrid on the left bank of the Henares.

The town is characterized by many churches and palaces, most of which date from the 15th to the 17th centuries. A well known example is the late Gothic Palacio del Infantado, built from 1461 to 1570. From the time of the Arab occupation of the three towers of the city wall and a bridge are still standing.

Location

The city is located northeast of Madrid on the left bank of the Henares and north of Azuqueca de Henares, in the valley of her is the place Marchamela opposite. To the north lies Espinosa, northeast follows the valley floor and the high-speed railway route Calatayud, west Colmenar Viejo and San Sebastian de los Reyes. North-west behind the mountains of the Sierra de Guadarrama is Segovia.

History

The town was first mentioned as Iberian foundation, later she was under the name Arriaca a Roman settlement. The initial insignificance of the city ended when it was refounded as Wadi al - Hidschara / وادي الحجارة / Wādī l - Ḥiǧāra by the Arabs. 1081 but was again conquered by the Castilian kings. 1441 to 1690 she was owned by the nobles of Mendoza.

In the Spanish Civil War, which lasted from 1936 to 1939, the Battle of Guadalajara took place here that brought the Republican army a great victory.

Economy

The José Cabrera nuclear power plant is a major employer in the area of Guadalajara.

Sons and daughters of the city

• Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán (* 1490 ), Spanish conquistador and colonial administrator in New Spain
• Clara Sánchez ( born 1955 ), writer