Tarazona

Tarazona is a town and municipality in the Tarazona y el Moncayo comarca, province of Zaragoza, in Aragon, Spain. It is the capital of the Tarazona y el Moncayo Aragonese comarca. It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tarazona.

Tarazona

Vista de Tarazona, España, 2015-01-02, DD 24-26 HDR.JPG
Flag
Coat of arms
Tarazona
Location of Tarazona within Spain / Aragon
Tarazona
Tarazona (Aragon)
Coordinates: 41°54′16″N 1°43′21″W
Country Spain
Autonomous Community Aragon
ProvinceZaragoza
ComarcaTarazona y el Moncayo
MunicipalityTarazona
Founded1st century B.C
Government
  MayorLuis María Beamonte (PP)
Area
  Total244.01 km2 (94.21 sq mi)
Elevation
480 m (1,570 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
  Total10,509
  Density43/km2 (110/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Turiasonense
Websitewww.tarazona.es

History

Bust of Augustus found in Tarazona in 1980.

During the Roman era, Tarazona was a prosperous city whose inhabitants were full Roman citizens; it was known as Turiaso. The city declined after the fall of the Roman Empire, and later became a Muslim town in the 8th century.

Coat of arms of Tarazona in the iglesia de San Atilano.

It was conquered in 1119 by Alfonso I of Aragon and became the seat of the diocese of Tarazona. Construction on Tarazona Cathedral first began in the 12th century in the French Gothic style, and it was consecrated in 1232.

After the crucifixion of Alfonso I, Tarazona became a town situated on the frontiers between Castile, Navarre, and Aragon, and was thus of strategic importance.

During centuries of Arabic rule, the city's population was diverse, and Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived together. The Muslim presence was evident in the local architecture; the cathedral itself was later rebuilt in Mudéjar style. The city suffered a terrible crisis when the Moriscos were expelled. During the War of the Two Peters, the city was occupied by Castilian troops for nine years, and the cathedral was damaged during this time.

In the 20th century, Tarazona became an important producer of matches and textiles, but these industries were replaced by others from the 1980s onwards.

The city is now an important tourist destination with various restaurants and hotels.

Twin towns - sister cities

Town State/Region Country
Orthez Pyrénées-Atlantiques  France

Other towns within the municipality

  • Agramont
  • Conchiellos
  • Tortoles

References

  1. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.


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