Tolosa, Spain

Tolosa is a town in the Basque province of Guipuzcoa in northern Spain.

Geography

Tolosa is located 25 km south of San Sebastián in the interior, in the valley of Oria to 80 m above sea level. The area is mountainous with peaks of over 1,000 meters.

The climate is maritime, with annual rainfall of over 1,500 mm.

History

The place Tolosa came in 1200 under the reign of Castile. Alfonso X of Castile in 1256 granted the town city rights and special rights ( foral ), the out far beyond those of the neighboring provinces. Alfonso X gave the city its name in reference to the Occitan and Latin name of the city of Toulouse. In the Middle Ages Tolosa was an important customs station ( "puerto seco ") for the exchange of goods between the ports of the coast, particularly San Sebastián and Getaria and the neighboring kingdom of Navarre. The function as the office for foreign trade lost the place until 1841, when Spain, the customs offices moved directly to the state border and the commercial ports.

During the Pyrenees War the city was occupied by French troops in 1794 and again in the following years, under Napoleon. During the Revolutionary War occurred in the area of Tolosa to guerrilla activities.

From 1854 to 1856 was Tolosa capital of Gipuzkoa, to the city of San Sebastián took over this function in the connection.

Culture

Tolosa is known for its black beans (Spanish Alubias de Tolosa, Basque Tolosako babarrunak ), for its waffles ( Tejas de Tolosa ) and for its carnival.

Every year during the week of All Saints there is the international choir competition of Tolosa (Basque Tolosako Abesbatza Lehiaketak ) held in 2008 for the 40th time.

Economy and Transport

In Tolosa Company of paper, metal and electrical industry are located. Furthermore, manufactured by Elosegui since 1859 Basque berets.

The city is located on the National Road I (N I), Madrid - Irun.

Famous sons and daughters of the town

  • Martín de Gaztelu, (* 1535 ) Secretary of State Charles V
  • Periko Alonso ( b. 1953 ), football player and coach
  • Ainhoa ​​Arteta (born 1964 ), opera singer
  • Edurne Pasaban (* 1973), mountaineer
  • Mikel Alonso ( b. 1980 ), football player
  • Gari Uranga ( born 1980 ), football player
  • Xabi Alonso ( b. 1981 ), football player
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