Villalcázar de Sirga

Villalcázar de Sirga is a municipality in the Autonomous Community of the Camino Kastilien-León/Spanien. It lies at an altitude of 830 m and is one of 155 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2013).

The name includes villa - village, hamlet; Alcazar - in about: castle ( from Arabic al - Qasr, the house. ) And Sirga - way to walk; which composed the ' village at the castle on the way ( to Santiago ) ' results.

History

In 1069 Villasirga is first mentioned as a pilgrimage station on the Way of St. James. By donation, the village became the property of the Order of the Knights Templar and remained there until the dissolution of the Order in 1312, then it went over to the Order of Santiagoritter. In the Middle Ages an important place and Marian center, existed here a total of three churches, not later than the 18th century began importance loss and shrinkage of the place to its present size. The richly decorated church of Santa María la Blanca, from the 13th century, showing the transition from Romanesque to Gothic. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1888, the south aisle ( reduced rebuilt ) and crazy southern portal in its geometry.

In the early 13th century is a figure of Mary here have miraculous cures effected, the Alfonso X, the Wise, encouraged to Marie singing " Cantigas de Santa Maria ", which he initiated either or where he even cooperated itself. The figure of Mary is now in the Santiago chapel from the 16th century, in which there are also three Gothic sarcophagi, one with the bones of the 1247 deceased Infante Don Felipe, brother of Alfonso X The figure of Mary lured by becoming aware of their wonder numerous pilgrims, by the route of the Camino de Santiago in a short time moved to the detriment Arconadas.