Alcoletge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alcoletge
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Municipality
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 Alcoletge
Location in Catalonia
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous Community |  Catalonia |
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| Comarca | Segrià | ||
| Province |  Lleida |
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| Area | |||
| • Total | 16.7 km2 (6.4 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 213 m (699 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 3,419 | ||
| • Density | 204.7/km2 (530.2/sq mi) | ||
| Postal code |
25660
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Alcoletge (Catalan pronunciation: [alkoˈledʒe]) is a small village in Catalonia, Spain. It is located in the province of Lleida. This charming place is known for its rich history and beautiful countryside.
Contents
A Look Back: Alcoletge's History
Early Beginnings
Alcoletge was first mentioned in official papers way back in 1118. This was in an agreement between Ramón Berenguer III, a powerful count, and Arnau Berenguer. The name "Alcoletge" comes from an old document that called the town "al-Kolaia."
It seems there was an even older village here, built by the Visigothic people. This old village became the base for the later Muslim settlement. The local church was first written about in 1168. By the year 1200, Alcoletge was part of the larger city of Lleida.
Times of Change
During the Reapers' War (also known as the Catalan Revolt), Alcoletge faced tough times. The castle was destroyed, and a religious building from the 1500s was badly damaged. By 1665, the village was almost empty.
Another difficult period came during the Spanish War of Succession in 1707. This war caused more damage and made many people leave again. However, in 1719, the city council of Lleida helped Alcoletge. They appointed a local leader, which led to Alcoletge becoming its own independent municipality.
What Do Alcoletge's Symbols Mean?
The official symbol of Alcoletge is its coat of arms. It looks like a shield with a gold background. On the shield, there is an open castle in black, with two black elm trees on either side. Above the shield, there's a special crown that looks like a wall. This coat of arms was officially approved on March 12, 1991.
Exploring Alcoletge's Culture
The Parish Church
The main church in Alcoletge is named after Saint Michael. It was built in the 1700s in a style called Neoclassical. This style was popular at the time and was inspired by old Greek and Roman buildings. The church has three main sections inside and a decorated front.
Sadly, a beautiful old altarpiece (a decorated screen behind the altar) from the Old Cathedral of Lleida was destroyed in 1936. Parts of it were kept in this church.
Old Buildings
Today, there are no signs left of the very first church building. This old church used to be on a hill overlooking the village. People have found old Arabic pottery from the Middle Ages there. Also, there are no remains of a grand old house from the Renaissance period. This house had a lovely gallery with arches at the back.
Fun Times: Celebrations in Alcoletge
Alcoletge has two main festivals each year. The biggest festival happens in May. There is also a second festival that takes place in September. These are times for the community to come together and celebrate!
How Alcoletge Makes a Living: Economy
The main way people in Alcoletge make money is through farming. They grow a lot of fruit trees, especially pears and apples. There are also farming cooperatives, which are groups of farmers working together.
Because Alcoletge is close to the big city of Lleida, many people also work there. However, farming is still very important to the town's economy. About two-thirds of the land in Alcoletge is used for crops. All the crops are watered using irrigation systems. These systems get water from places like the Fontanet irrigation system, the Segre River, and the Urgell canal.
See also
In Spanish: Alcoletge para niños
