Azuaga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Azuaga
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 Azuaga
Location in Extremadura
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community | Extremadura | |
| Province | Badajoz | |
| Comarca | Campiña Sur | |
| Judicial district | Llerena | |
| Founded | 1st century | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 497.9 km2 (192.2 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 593 m (1,946 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 7,891 | |
| • Density | 15.8486/km2 (41.048/sq mi) | |
| Demonyms | Azuagueños, Arsenses | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
06920
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Azuaga is a town in Spain. It is located in the province of Badajoz. This area is in southern Extremadura. Azuaga is close to the provinces of Seville and Córdoba in Andalusia.
The town is about 140 km from Badajoz. It is also 125 km from Córdoba and 140 km from Seville. Azuaga sits near the Sierra Morena mountains. It is part of a border region called Campiña Sur.
Azuaga covers an area of 498 square kilometers. This makes it the fourth largest municipality in Badajoz province. The village of Cardenchosa is also part of Azuaga. In 2010, about 8,303 people lived here.
Azuaga's History
Ancient Times
Azuaga has a very long history. Archeologists have found remains from ancient times. These include the Megalithic era, the Copper Age, and the Bronze Age. There are also findings from the Orientalizing Period.
During the Roman Empire, Azuaga was a Roman town. It was part of the province called Lusitania. It had different Roman names like Municipium Flavium Ugultuniacum. People from Azuaga were part of the Galeria tribe. Two stone tablets with old Roman writings have been found here.
There are not many remains from the Visigothic era.
Middle Ages
When Spain was under Moorish rule, Azuaga grew a lot. A Muslim geographer named Al Idrisi wrote about Azuaga in the 12th century. He described it as a fort on a hilltop. This is the first time Azuaga was mentioned by name. It seems the town's name came from a Berber tribe called Al-Zuwaga. Azuaga still has parts of its 11th-century castle today.
In 1236, Christian kingdoms took over Azuaga. This happened during the reign of Ferdinand III. The Order of Santiago led the conquest. They were led by Pelay Pérez Correa. The Christians captured the castle. They then built the new Torre del Homenaje. This "Tower of Homage" is the best-preserved part of the castle now.
In 1477, the Order of Santiago held an important meeting. It took place in a small church called Ermita de San Sebastián. They chose Don Alonso de Cárdenas as their new leader.
Modern Era
In 1551, the first census of Extremadura was taken. Azuaga was the biggest town in the region. In the 18th century, Azuaga was still a main town. It was known for its crafts and factories. They made many textiles and dyes.
Azuaga was home to the artist Juan del Castillo (1585–1658). He did most of his work in Seville. He ran a workshop there. His brother, Agustín del Castillo (1590–1626), was also a painter. He worked in Córdoba.
In the 16th century, two important religious figures were named Fray Pedro de Azuaga. One was a Franciscan thinker. He advised Philip II. The other became a Bishop in Chile in 1596.
During the time of colonial expansion, many people from Extremadura went to the Americas. Azuaga sent the seventh-highest number of people from Extremadura. This shows how important the town was in that era.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Azuaga became less important. But between 1920 and 1960, mining brought new wealth. They mined lead and some silver. The town's population grew to 16,000 to 18,000 people. After that, many workers left. Nearly half of the town's people moved away. Some moved to Sant Boi de Llobregat near Barcelona.
See also
In Spanish: Azuaga para niños
