La Alberca

La Alberca is a municipality in the region of the Sierra de Francia - Quilamas in the province of Salamanca within the Community of Castilla y Leon in Spain. In 2013 there lived 1150 people. The area is 61 km ² and the place is located 1048 meters above sea level.

Name

The town's name comes from the period of Arab rule in the region. La Alberca comes from the Arabic word " Berka " ( = lake ) with the Arabic article "al".

History

Even before the arrival of the Romans, the area was settled. In the 13th century the city belonged to the Crown. As one of the few places in the Sierra de France that belonged to Miranda County. According to tradition, defeated in 1465, the women of the town besieging Portuguese troops whose flag is still preserved today. The victory is celebrated on Easter Monday. In the 15th century John II of Castile took the city under the rule of the House of Alba.

1940, the city was ranked as art historical significance, the city core has since been under a preservation order. Since 2000 is also the valley of Las Batuecas in La Alberca is a historic landmark.

Attractions

  • The Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption dates from the 18th century. It was completed in the same year as the New Cathedral of Salamanca ( 1733) and has an interesting pulpit of polychrome granite from the 16th century. The church tower was built 212 years ago under the first Duke of Alba.
  • In the Natural Park of Las Batuecas several holy places of worship as well as prehistoric caves can be visited. Since 1599 the local Carmelite monastery became an important spiritual center.
  • The Chapel of Our Lady of Old Majadas located towards Mogarraz, about 3 km in a chestnut and oak woods. It is in the Romanesque style of the 12th century and has an external pulpit.
  • The Hermitage of San Marcos, now in ruins, dates from 1703.
  • The Hermitage of Cristo del Humilladero is the oldest and is located at the main entrance of the city.
  • The Hermitage of San Blas is located in the direction of Batuecas. Greed is the banner that was conquered by the middle-class women in the fight against the Portuguese in 1475 kept.
  • The contemplative monastery Zarzoso Porta Coeli was founded by Franciscan nuns in the 15th century.

Ermita de San Blas

Parish Church

Rio Batuecas

Building

Celebrations

  • On 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption is celebrated. Baroque splendor, colorful costumes and traditional folklore are predominant.
  • On September 8, a feast of the Peña de Francia is held.
  • The pilgrimage to Old Majadas is celebrated on the Saturday before Pentecost.
  • In La Alberca, according to a tradition of a previously lined by the population riderless pig named " San Anton" is driven through the streets of the city on July 13. Later it will be raffled off at the church door, proceeds benefit the brothers of St. Anthony.
  • On 2 February, the community celebrates the festival of candles with a procession of the Virgen de la Asunción.
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