Barberà de la Conca facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Barberà de la Conca
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Municipality
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 Barberà de la Conca
Location in Catalonia
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| Country |  ESP |
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| Autonomous community |  Catalonia |
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| Province |  Tarragona |
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| Comarca |  Conca de Barberà |
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| Area | |||
| • Total | 26.6 km2 (10.3 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 475 m (1,558 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 476 | ||
| • Density | 17.89/km2 (46.35/sq mi) | ||
| Postal code |
43422
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Barberà de la Conca is a small village located in the province of Tarragona. This area is part of Catalonia, a special region in Spain.
History of Barberà de la Conca
The area around Barberà de la Conca is named after this village. Old discoveries show that people lived here even during the time of the Roman Empire.
The village was first mentioned in a document from the year 945. It was called "Campo Barberano" then. This document was about giving the San Pedro church to a monastery. Later, in 1012, it was mentioned as "castrum of Barbará," which means a fortified place.
In the early 11th century, the area was empty. But then, Ramón Berenguer I, a powerful count, gave the land to Arnau Pere de Ponts. He was asked to bring people back to the area and build a castle. The village was fully repopulated in the 12th century. At that time, the castle was given to the Knights Templar, a famous group of warrior monks.
In 1307, the Templars were arrested by order of the local governor. The king then took control of their property. Later that year, the Knights Hospitaller, another group of warrior monks, took over. They ruled the area until the end of the old system of government. For over 30 years, a friar named Guillem de Guimerà greatly expanded the land they controlled.
Culture and Landmarks
The village grew up around its old castle. This castle was built in the 11th century. The Knights Templar later expanded it, adding a chapel and other parts. For a while, the castle was even used as a public school! This happened after Queen Elizabeth II gave the rights to the town. After it stopped being a school, it was left empty. Today, the town owns the castle.
The main church in the village is called Santa María. It's a Baroque style building with three main sections inside. It was built where an even older Roman temple used to be. You can still see a part of the old building, called the tympanum. It shows a picture of the Virgin Mary sitting on a throne with a child on her left. This image is surrounded by a special oval shape, called a mandorla, held up by two angels.
Economy
Today, farming is the most important part of Barberà's economy. In recent years, the area has become well-known for its wine. This is thanks to the creation of the "OJ Cuenca de Barberà," which is a special name for wines from this region. This has made wine production much bigger. Another important part of the local economy is family tourism, where people visit the area for holidays.
Feasts and Festivals
The main festival in Barberà de la Conca happens on the second to last Sunday of August. Also, during the month of May, there are festivals to honor the Virgin of the Rosary.
See also
In Spanish: Barbará para niños
