A Estrada facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
A Estrada
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Municipality
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Location of Estrada within Galicia
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Province | Pontevedra | ||
Comarca | Tabeirós – Terra de Montes | ||
Population
(2018)
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• Total | 20,661 | ||
Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
• Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CET) | ||
Website | www.aestrada.com |
A Estrada is a cool town, or "municipality," located in the province of Pontevedra in Spain. It's part of a special region called Galicia. This area is known as the comarca of Tabeirós – Terra de Montes. A Estrada is about 15 miles (24 km) southeast of Santiago de Compostela, a famous city in Spain.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Meaning of A Estrada
Have you ever wondered where town names come from? The name "A Estrada" has an interesting history! It comes from an old Latin word, strata. This word means "trodden earth" or "a path where people walk."
Why is it called "A Estrada"?
The name makes perfect sense because two important paths used to cross right in the town's main square.
- One path went from south to north. It was used by shepherds moving their animals and by pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. These travelers came from places like Terra de Montes, Ourense, and Portugal.
- The other path went from east to west. This route was for shepherds heading to the coast from areas like Deza and Trasdeza. So, A Estrada was truly a place where paths met!
A Journey Through Time: The History of A Estrada
The history of A Estrada is quite long and goes back many centuries. The area, known as Tabeirós, was first mentioned way back in the sixth century!
Early Beginnings and Church Influence
In the 1100s, the archbishop of Santiago, Gelmírez, and King Alfonso VII of Castile made a land exchange. This meant that Tabeirós came under the control of the church in Compostela. This church's power covered almost all of what is now A Estrada until 1840.
How A Estrada Became a Town
The year 1840 was very important for A Estrada. This is when the City Council (like a local government) and the judicial district of A Estrada were officially created. Today, this judicial district includes A Estrada and nearby towns like Forcarei and Cerdedo.
Just a few years before, in 1837, something big happened. There were disagreements between different political groups, called "absolutists" and "liberals." Because of these arguments, the town hall of Tabeirós moved from Cereixo to the spot where A Estrada is now. At that time, A Estrada was just a small crossroads with only four houses!
A Glimpse into the Early 1900s
At the beginning of the 20th century, A Estrada was described as a busy place in a mountainous area.
- The main jobs were agriculture (farming) and stockbreeding (raising animals).
- People also made things like linen and woollen cloth.
- Timber (wood) from the mountain forests was sent down the Ulla River to the sea.
- The area was also known for its mineral springs, which are natural springs with special water.
See also
In Spanish: La Estrada para niños