Alcarràs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alcarràs
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
Alcarràs Location in Province of Lleida Show map of Province of Lleida Alcarràs Location in Catalonia Show map of Catalonia Alcarràs Location in Spain Show map of Spain
Country	Spain
Community	Catalonia
Province	Lleida
Comarca	Segrià
Area
• Total	114.3 km2 (44.1 sq mi)
Elevation	137 m (449 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	9,422
• Density	82.43/km2 (213.50/sq mi)
Demonyms	Alcarrassí, Alcarrassina

Alcarràs (Western Catalan: [alkaˈras]) is a town in the Segrià area of Catalonia, Spain. It is a municipality that even includes a small piece of land to its south.

What Does Alcarràs Mean?

The name Alcarràs comes from Arabic. In old papers from the 1100s, it was called Alcaraz. Some experts believe it means "cherry" in Arabic.

A Look Back at Alcarràs's History

Alcarràs started as an Islamic town. It first appeared in historical records in the 1100s. Back then, it was known for its castle and church. A count named Ermengol VI took control of Alcarràs around 1147-1148.

Over time, the town faced many challenges. The castle was used by soldiers in the 1600s. Later, it became very ruined. By the 1800s, only a few parts of the old castle remained. It was finally taken down at the end of that century.

In the 1700s, Alcarràs grew a lot. A large church was built, and the town expanded. During the Peninsular War (early 1800s), local people fought against the French army. Alcarràs was occupied by French forces in 1810.

By the mid-1800s, schools were started in Alcarràs. There was even a spa with special waters for skin problems, which opened in 1896. New businesses also began, like those making flour and brandy. The town also got water for farming from the Pinyana Canal and later the Aragon and Catalonia Canal.

The 2017 Referendum

On 1 October 2017, a vote for independence was held in Catalonia. Alcarràs was one of the places where this vote took place. Many citizens participated, with 2,799 votes cast. Out of these, 2,578 people voted "yes" for independence.

During the event, there were difficulties when Spanish police arrived at the voting center. About 80 police officers came and found 500 people peacefully blocking their way. There were clashes, and some people were hurt. The mayor of Alcarràs, Miquel Serra, faced consequences for allowing the vote to happen.

The Movie Alcarràs

In 2022, the town became famous because of a film called Alcarràs. The movie was directed by Carla Simón. It won the top award, the Golden Bear, at the Berlinale. This was the first time a Catalan film received this honor. The movie was filmed in Alcarràs, and local people from the area acted in it.

Alcarràs's Symbols

The official symbol of Alcarràs is its coat of arms. It shows a green holm oak tree on a silver background. This tree is special because it represents a very old oak tree in the town. The flag of Alcarràs also shows this tree on a maroon background.

Where is Alcarràs?

Alcarràs is easy to reach by road. It is connected by the A-2 and AP-2 highways.

Here are some distances from Alcarràs to other major cities:

• Lleida: 8 km
• Barcelona: 150 km
• Zaragoza: 140 km
• Huesca: 100 km
• Tarragona: 100 km
• Madrid: 450 km
• France: 270 km
• Valencia: 325 km

How Many People Live in Alcarràs?

Population from 1900 to 2020

Cool Places to Visit in Alcarràs

• The Centenary Oak: This very old oak tree is the symbol of the town.
• The Old House of Canonges and Ermita de Santa Anna: An old house from the 1700s.
• Montagut Castle: This castle was built by the Saracens. Only a few parts of it remain today.
• The Circuit d'Alcarràs: A race track for motorsports that opened in 2007.
• The Church of Mare de Déu de l'Assumpció: A beautiful church built between 1760 and 1765. It has a baroque style.
• Joaquim Montoy Library: Opened in 2006, this library has over 18,000 books and documents.
• Cal Macià: A farmhouse from the 1600s. It was once the home of Eugènia Lamarca, whose husband was President Francesc Macià.

Culture and Fun Holidays

The Municipal Institute of Culture of Alcarràs (IMCA) helps organize all the cultural events and festivals in town. They work with local groups to plan activities throughout the year.

Alcarràs has two main holidays:

• Winter Holiday: This is celebrated around January 20 in honor of Saint Sebastian. It usually lasts for four days.
• Summer Holiday: This big celebration takes place on the last weekend of August.

Images for kids

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  The Church of Mare de Déu de l'Assumpció in Alcarràs.

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  The flag of Alcarràs.

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  The coat of arms of Alcarràs.

See also

In Spanish: Alcarrás para niños