Briviesca facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Briviesca
Municipality and town
Santa María church (15th-18th century)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto(s):  Capital de La Bureba ("La Bureba's capital")
Briviesca Location in Province of Burgos Show map of Province of Burgos Briviesca Location in Castile and León Show map of Castile and León Briviesca Location in Spain Show map of Spain
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Castile and León
Province	Burgos
Comarca	La Bureba
Area
• Total	81 km2 (31 sq mi)
Elevation	726 m (2,382 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	6,675
• Density	82.4/km2 (213.4/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	09240
Website	http://ayto.briviesca.es/

Briviesca is a city and a municipality in Spain. It is located in the northern part of the Iberian Peninsula. Briviesca is the main town of the La Bureba region. It is also part of the Burgos province in the Castile and León community. In 2017, about 6,861 people lived here. This made it the 4th largest city in its province. The Briviesca area includes five towns: Briviesca itself, Cameno, Quintanillabón, Revillagodos, and Valdazo.

People first settled here in the 1st century BC. The Autrigones, an ancient tribe, made Briviesca their capital. The Romans later called it Virovesca. It was an important town where two Roman roads met. During the Middle Ages, the famous Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) helped Briviesca grow. It reached its peak during the Renaissance period. Today, Briviesca is located between Miranda de Ebro and Burgos. This location helps its industry and trade.

Briviesca has many green spaces, fields, and mountains. It also has important historical buildings. These include the Santa María la Mayor Church and the Santa Clara Monastery. The monastery has a beautiful Gothic cloister. Other notable places are the "Hospitalillo" cloister, the traditional Plaza Mayor, old houses, and the San Martín Church. The Santa Casilda's sanctuary is also nearby. Briviesca is known for its "La Vega" industrial area. Many businesses, especially those for farm tools, are located here. This industry is very important for the city and the whole region.

Understanding the Name of Briviesca

The exact origin of the name Briviesca is not fully known. It seems to come from an ancient language called Proto-Indo-European. It might mean "place," "head," or "regional capital." Some people think it comes from "Burovio," a god worshipped by the Autrigones. The first time Briviesca was mentioned in writing was in "Natural History." This book was written by the Roman geographer Pliny the Elder. He called it "Virovesca" and said it was the capital of the Autrigones.

Where is Briviesca Located?

Briviesca is in the northeast of the Burgos province. It is located halfway between Burgos and Miranda de Ebro. The city sits in a valley formed by the Oca River. This valley is between the San José and Los Pinos mountains. The valley opens up to a large flat area called La Bureba. The Oca River flows through much of the city. Briviesca is about 718 meters (2,356 feet) above sea level.

Briviesca has not always been in its current spot. Its present location dates back to the 14th century. Before that, it was in the nearby mountains. This was because defense was very important then. In the 14th century, Blanca of Portugal bought the town. She was the granddaughter of King Alfonso the Wise. She decided to move the town to its current place. This made it easier to access and better for trade.

How to Get Around Briviesca

Road Travel

Briviesca is on the N-I road at kilometer 280. It is also at the third exit of the AP-1 highway. You can easily reach other towns like Oña, Poza de la Sal, or Frías by bus. There is also a "Transport to Demand" service for smaller towns. This helps people come to Briviesca for shopping and errands. Daily bus services connect Briviesca to cities like Irún, San Sebastián, Vitoria, and Madrid. The Burgos-Logroño bus line also stops here. Briviesca has two bus stops. The main one is on Avenida Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente. The other is on Avenida Alberto Alcocer. There is also a taxi service in Briviesca. The taxi stand is on Calle Medina, near the Plaza Mayor.

Train Travel

Briviesca has a railway station. It is on the Madrid-Irún railway line. The Madrid-Hendaye line opened in the mid-19th century. But Briviesca did not get its station until 1902.

Today, three types of trains stop at Briviesca station:

• Regional Express: Connects Briviesca with Miranda de Ebro, Zaragoza, and Vitoria daily. It also connects with Valladolid, Burgos, and Madrid on weekends.
• Arc: Connects Briviesca with Hendaya and La Coruña twice a day.
• Intercity: Connects Briviesca with Miranda de Ebro, Vitoria, San Sebastián, Burgos, Valladolid, and Irún. It has six daily stops and fewer on weekends.

About 9 trains stop in Briviesca every day. This means the city is well-connected by rail. You can find more information about train times on the Adif-stations website.

Air Travel

Briviesca is about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the Burgos Airport. However, this airport does not currently have commercial flights.

Symbols of Briviesca

City Anthem

The words for Briviesca's anthem were written by Fray Justo Pérez de Urbel. Rafael Calleja Gómez composed the music. The anthem was first performed on August 16, 1929. People at the time described it as a very moving event. Since then, it has become a special symbol of Briviesca. Every August 16, on San Roque's Day, the anthem is performed. This happens at 2:30 PM in the Plaza Mayor. The anthem performance is a highlight of the city's main celebrations. In recent years, tenor Miguel de Alonso has sung it for thousands of people.

City Shield

Briviesca's current shield has three main parts. The top part has a red background with three heads. Two heads are of Moors (tilted), and one is of a Christian (straight). This might show different cultures living together. In the middle, also on a red background, are three gold stripes. These might represent Briviesca's straight streets. At the bottom, there are water waves. These represent the Oca River. A gold mural crown sits on top of the shield.

City Flag

Briviesca's current flag was created recently. It was not designed through a long study or official agreement. The mayor, Antonio López-Linares, decided the city needed a flag. It would be flown during local festivals. An old tapestry was used as inspiration. It had the city's coat of arms on a moss green background.

History of Briviesca

Early Times and the Autrigones

There is not much information about prehistoric times in this area. But some ancient sites show that people lived here since the Paleolithic Age. Important remains have been found in caves near Oña. These include Penches, La Blanca, and El Caballón. Later, from the Iron Age, traces were found in Briviesca itself. Also in Miraveche, Pancorbo, Poza de la Sal, Soto de Bureba, and Villanueva de Teba.

The Autrigones were an ancient group of people. They lived in the Iberian Peninsula before the Romans arrived. From the 3rd century BC, the Autrigones lived in a large area. This was around the upper Ebro Valley. Virovesca was first mentioned in 77 AD. Other Autrigon settlements were nearby. These included Salionca (Poza de la Sal) and Segisamunculum (Cerezo de Río Tirón).

Jewish History in Briviesca

A Jewish community once lived in Briviesca. The first records of Jewish people here are from 1240. The Jewish community in Briviesca faced many challenges. These included anti-Jewish laws and problems from wars. The community existed until 1492. That year, Jewish people were expelled from Spain.

Population of Briviesca

Briviesca's population grew steadily for a while. This was due to new housing construction. Many people from other countries moved to the city. The foreign population grew seven times in just ten years. In 2009, Briviesca reached its highest population ever, with 7,937 people. However, due to an economic crisis, the population has decreased. Many immigrants returned to their home countries. Even so, Briviesca is still the fourth most important city in its province. It is smaller than Burgos, Miranda de Ebro, and Aranda de Duero.

About 15% of the people living in Briviesca are from other countries. They come from 40 different nations. On January 1, 2016, the municipality had 6,948 residents.

Population by Town

Briviesca is the main town of a municipality with five residential areas. The growth of Briviesca city has included the other four areas. Briviesca city itself includes two neighborhoods to the north. These are Cameno and Quintanillabón, both about four kilometers away. The municipality also includes two smaller local areas. These are Valdazo and Revillagodos, located to the southwest. Valdazo is five kilometers away, and Revillagodos is ten kilometers away.

How Briviesca is Managed

Local Government

Álvaro Morales Álvarez (from the PSOE party) has been the mayor of Briviesca since June 15, 2019. His party won four out of thirteen council seats. The City Council has thirteen councilors in total. Four are from PP, four from PSOE, three from Assembly Briviesca, and two from Citizens. No single party won a majority. So, Assembly Briviesca supported Álvaro Morales to become mayor. They signed an agreement to work together. The city's government works from the Consistorial House on Santa María Street. This building was renovated in 2008. It holds the city's historical archives and the local police station. It also has the tourism office, various city offices, and meeting rooms.

Judicial System

Briviesca is the center of the Briviesca Judicial District. It has a Court of First Instance and Instruction. This court opened on June 27, 2013. It is located at the corner of Pedro Ruiz Street and Santa Ana al Rio. The building houses the court, registry, civil registry, and other related offices.

Economy of Briviesca

The La Bureba region, including Briviesca, is known for growing a lot of cereal. Wheat and its straw are the main crops. Some legumes and sunflowers are also grown. This helps keep the soil healthy. Briviesca also has an industrial area called "La Vega." It has small and medium-sized companies. Some large international companies are also there. They produce food, textiles, and metal products. There are also cereal and flour storage facilities. Construction materials and various workshops are also found here. Farming tools are a major product.

Primary Sector (Agriculture and Livestock)

• Agriculture

Briviesca has one of the largest cultivated areas in Castile and León. It is also one of the largest in Spain. Because of this, La Bureba is often called the "granary of Castilla." Agriculture is the main economic activity in Briviesca. More than 40,000 hectares of land are farmed in the region. Cereal is the main crop, covering 30,000 hectares. This is because the climate is perfect for it. Sunflowers (8,000 hectares) and other crops like peas or soybeans are also grown.

• Livestock

In La Bureba and Briviesca, there are small herds of sheep and pigs. Farmers use intensive livestock farming methods. This means animals are raised in smaller areas, not large pastures. These animals are mainly for food. To a lesser extent, there are also cattle farms for milk production.

Secondary Sector (Industry)

Briviesca is an important industrial center. The first companies moved into the "La Vega" industrial estate in the 1970s. This area has been expanded three times and covers 1,000,000 square meters. The most recent expansion is waiting for new companies to move in. Most businesses in La Vega are local small and medium-sized companies. There are also warehouses for farm machinery. Large companies like Siro and Acciona are also located here. Acciona has the second biomass plant in Spain. Food production is a major industry, followed by mechanics. Briviesca's location near two main roads (N-1 and AP-1) has helped its industrial growth.

Tertiary Sector (Services)

Briviesca is not mainly known for its service sector. However, it is the main commercial and financial center for the region. Major banks and large supermarkets are located in Briviesca. It also has many small shops. Briviesca is a hotel center with over 200 hotel rooms. These are in four-star and two-star hotels and hostels. There are also traditional restaurants, fast food places, and over forty bars. Briviesca can also be considered a "tourist city." It welcomes around 40,000 visitors each year.

Festivities in Briviesca

Carnivals

Carnivals in Briviesca start with "the day of the Choricillo." On this day, friends gather in the afternoon for a snack. This tradition helps people prepare for the meat fast during Lent. Chorizo (a type of sausage) is the main food, along with other sausages and local blood sausage.

The main Carnival celebrations are not very popular. But there is usually a parade and a party on Saturday. These events attract people from nearby towns. People often dress up in groups of friends. On Carnival Tuesday, the "burial of the sardine" is celebrated. People have a mourning parade through the streets. They take a sardine to a bridge, where it is burned. The ashes are then thrown into the Oca River. After this, chocolate is given to everyone who took part.

Couples' Fair

The Couples' Fair is held around Saint Joseph's Day (March 19). If March 19 is a public holiday, it is celebrated then. Otherwise, it is held on the nearest weekend. This is a special tradition from Briviesca that started in the 20th century. Over time, farming became more modern. This caused the original tradition to stop. However, in the 1970s, the city brought it back. They changed its format completely. This is how the current Couples' Fair began. During the event, the queens of the city's main parties give a carnation to women. They give a bag of almonds to men who are part of a couple. Over time, other events were added. These include festivals and concerts. Today, it is a fun day with sports, cultural, and musical activities.

Easter Celebrations

Briviesca's Easter celebrations are not widely known. But they are very traditional among the people of Briviesca and the region. They are important for several reasons. Briviesca has the second-highest number of processions in the province, after the capital. It is also unique because one single brotherhood, Briviesca's Vera Cruz, organizes 17 processions. They also arrange all other events during Holy Week.

The celebrations begin with events before the main week during Lent. These include confessions, talks, and Way of the Cross services. On the Friday of Sorrows, after the afternoon mass, the official opening takes place. This includes a special announcement and giving medals to new members. On Palm Sunday, after the blessing of palms, the Procession of the Palms is held. It features the "Entrance to Jerusalem" scene. A mass follows this.

On Holy Tuesday, after the afternoon mass, a Penitential Way of the Cross is held. It goes through the city streets with three processions. These are "The Nazarene," "The Holy Christ of the Atonement," and "The Solitude of Our Lady." A Bugle and Drum Band, formed in 2012, follows them. After mass, concerts, and the Holy Thursday vigil, a Via-Crucis is held on Good Friday morning. In this event, a large "Penitential Cross" is carried. It is six meters long, two meters wide, and weighs 160 kg. It is carried up the 'Monte de Los Pinos,' like Mount Calvary. The descent of the Cross is also re-enacted.

In the afternoon, the 'Santos Oficios' are celebrated. At night, the most impressive event of Holy Week takes place. This is the 'Santo Entierro' (Holy Burial) Procession. It is the most spectacular and crowded one. Thirteen floats and about three hundred brothers in special robes parade. These include "Prayer in the Garden," "Flagellation of the Lord," "Ecce Homo," "Penitential Cross," "The Nazarene," "The Veronica," "Elevation of the Cross," "Holy Christ of the Atonement," "The Descent," "The Pietà," "Santo Sepulcro," "Apóstol San Juan," and "La Dolorosa." The Municipal Music Band and the Bugle and Drum Band accompany them. Various civil and church officials also join. Silence, broken only by music, is a key part of this procession. A special parade happens in the Plaza Mayor to perform Schubert's Ave Maria. It ends with the singing of the Salve Popular. Then, the 'Santo Sepulcro' is moved to the San Martín Church.

On Holy Saturday, the Rosary of the Dawn is celebrated. This is in the Procession of the Solitude, accompanying "La Dolorosa." The celebrations end on Easter Sunday with the Procession of the Meeting. In this procession, "Jesus Risen" and his "Holy Mother" parade.

All these events are organized by one brotherhood with about six hundred members. It was founded in 1664. Briviesca's Holy Week is known for its history and unique features. It is in the process of being recognized as a "Festival of Regional Tourist Interest." In 2014, the Brotherhood celebrated its 350th anniversary. They organized many events to mark this important occasion. You can find more information on their website.

Pilgrimage and Saint Casilda's Day

Saint Casilda's Day is celebrated on May 9. It is a local holiday in Briviesca. Saint Casilda has been the patron saint of the city since 1600. She is also seen as the protector of La Bureba. People have a lot of love and respect for her.

The story of Saint Casilda is very special. She was the daughter of a Muslim king in Toledo. Legend says she helped her father's prisoners by bringing them bread. One day, her father followed her. He asked her to show him what she was hiding in her dress. Casilda said they were roses. At that moment, a miracle happened: the bread turned into flowers.

The story continues. Casilda became ill. She heard that in La Bureba, in the Kingdom of Castile, there were lakes with healing powers. These were the Lakes of San Vicente. Casilda asked her father for permission to go, and he allowed it. Once she was healthy, Casilda stayed in the caves there to live a quiet life. Today, the Sanctuary of Saint Casilda stands in that area. It is a place of pilgrimage for people from Briviesca. People also visit from anywhere else to be cured of illnesses in the lakes.

The current festival has been celebrated since 1486. This was because a plague epidemic was affecting Spain at that time. The people of Briviesca promised Saint Casilda that if she saved them from the plague, they would celebrate the festival every year. And so they did. Today, the day includes masses, processions, outdoor dances, and other cultural events. It also honors different important people.

Before Saint Casilda's Day, a pilgrimage to the Sanctuary is held. This happens on the first Sunday of May. The "Los Deseperaos" group has organized this pilgrimage for 33 years. It starts from the main square in Briviesca. People walk about ten kilometers along the road to the sanctuary. Once there, a procession is held around the sanctuary. A Castilian mass is celebrated. Afterward, people honor Casilda's relic. Then, a picnic is held in the fields of the Sanctuary. In the afternoon, the pilgrims return to Briviesca. Some traditional dances are performed by the same group that played music at the mass. This pilgrimage has been celebrated every year since 1734. Documents from the Municipal Archive of Briviesca show this.

Images for kids

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  Flag of Briviesca

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  Shield of Briviesca

See also

In Spanish: Briviesca para niños