Alcalá del Júcar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alcalá del Júcar
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municipality
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| Country | Spain | |
| Autonomous community | Castile-La Mancha | |
| Province | Albacete | |
| Comarca | Manchuela | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 146.82 km2 (56.69 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 596 m (1,955 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 1,199 | |
| • Density | 8.166/km2 (21.151/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
Alcalá del Júcar (Spanish: [alkaˈla ðel ˈxukaɾ]) is a cool town in Spain. It's located in the southeastern part of the country, in a region called Castile-La Mancha. This town is part of the Province of Albacete.
About 1,148 people live here (as of 2022). Alcalá del Júcar is about 64 kilometers (40 miles) away from the city of Albacete. In 1982, the town was named a "Historic-Artistic Site" because of its special history and beauty.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Alcalá del Júcar
The name Alcalá comes from an old Arabic word, al-qala'a. This word means "the castle." So, when you hear "Alcalá del Júcar," it really means "the castle of the Júcar River." This makes sense because the town has a famous castle!
Geography: Where is Alcalá del Júcar?
Location and Landscape
Alcalá del Júcar is built in a really unique spot. It sits inside a deep gorge, which is like a narrow valley with steep sides. This gorge was carved out by the Júcar River. The area is famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs.
The town's whitewashed houses look like they are clinging right to the rock face. It's a very cool sight! This area is part of the Manchuela region, known for its beautiful nature and interesting rock formations.
Nearby Towns
Alcalá del Júcar shares its borders with several other towns in the Albacete province. These include:
History: A Look Back in Time
Early History and Conquest
A long time ago, in 1211, a king named Alfonso VIII of Castile led a quick military campaign. He took control of important strongholds like Garadén, Jorquera, and Alcalá from the Muslims. This brought these lands under the control of the Crown of Castile.
Two years later, big victories in battles like Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212) and Battle of Alcaraz (1213) helped secure these lands. After these wins, new settlers from Alarcón came to live in Alcalá.
Becoming a Town
At first, Alcalá was just a small village that belonged to Jorquera. But on April 18, 1364, King Peter of Castile (also known as Pedro the Cruel) made Alcalá del Júcar an official town. This meant it was separate from Jorquera and had its own laws and government.
The Marquisate of Villena
Like other towns nearby, Alcalá del Júcar became part of something called the Marquisate of Villena. This was a special type of land ownership during the Middle Ages. It faced many challenges until it ended after a big conflict called the Castilian Civil War in 1475.
Changes Over Time
Alcalá del Júcar was part of the Kingdom of Murcia (within the Crown of Castile) for a long time. Then, in 1833, Spain reorganized its territories. This is when the province of Albacete was created, and Alcalá del Júcar became part of it.
Also, in terms of church organization, Alcalá del Júcar used to belong to the Diocese of Cartagena. But in 1949, the Diocese of Albacete was created, and Alcalá del Júcar became part of that.
Historic Recognition
Alcalá del Júcar was officially declared a "Conjunto histórico" (Historic-Artistic Site) in 1982. This means it's recognized as a place with important historical and artistic value. It's also listed as a "Bien de Interés Cultural" (Cultural Heritage Site) by the Ministry of Culture of Spain.
Since 2014, Alcalá del Júcar has been recognized as one of "The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain". It's a member of an association that celebrates these special places.
See also
In Spanish: Alcalá del Júcar para niños
