Alba de Tormes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alba de Tormes
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Panoramica of Alba de Tormes and the bridge over the river Tormes
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Location in Salamanca
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| Country | Spain | |
| Autonomous community | Castile and León | |
| Province | Salamanca | |
| Comarca | Tierra de Alba | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 46.51 km2 (17.96 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 836 m (2,743 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 5,166 | |
| • Density | 111.073/km2 (287.68/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Website | www.albadetormes.com | |
Alba de Tormes is a small town in western Spain. It's located in the province of Salamanca, which is part of the Castile and León region. The town sits by the River Tormes, a bit upstream from the bigger city of Salamanca. Alba de Tormes is famous for a few reasons. It gave its name to the powerful House of Alba, a very important noble family in Spain. This family had their main home, called an ancestral seat, in the Castillo de los Duques de Alba (Castle of the Dukes of Alba) here. Also, Saint Teresa of Ávila, a very important saint, died at a convent she started in the town. She is buried there.
Contents
A Look at Alba de Tormes History
Alba de Tormes has a long and interesting history. For many centuries, from the 1100s to the 1800s, there was a special building called the monastery of San Leonardo just outside the town walls. Monasteries are places where monks or nuns live and pray.
The Jewish Community in Medieval Times
During the Middle Ages, a lively Jewish community lived in Alba de Tormes. The first time we know for sure that Jewish people lived there was in the year 1140. This community grew and was an important part of the town. However, in 1492, Jewish people were asked to leave Spain. This event is known as the expulsion of the Jews.
Important People from Alba de Tormes
Many famous people are connected to Alba de Tormes.
- Fernando Álvarez de Toledo, 3rd Duke of Alba: He was a very powerful and important leader from the House of Alba. He was known for his military skills.
- St Teresa of Ávila: She was a Spanish nun and a very important writer and mystic. She founded many convents, including one in Alba de Tormes, where she passed away.
- St John of the Cross: He was a Spanish mystic and a close friend of Saint Teresa of Ávila. He also played a big part in reforming the Carmelite religious order.
- Eloíno Nácar Fúster: He was a priest who helped translate the Bible into Spanish.
Images for kids
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Church of St John of the Cross
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Castle of the Dukes of Alba's Keep, founded in 1430
See also
In Spanish: Alba de Tormes para niños
