Carpesa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Carpesa
A church in Carpesa
Country	Spain
Province	Valencia
Municipality	Valencia
Elevation	27 m (89 ft)
Population  (2017)
• Total	1,215
Demonym(s)	carpesano /a (va) carpesà /ana

Carpesa is a small village located near the big city of Valencia in Spain. It's part of the Valencia municipality. For a long time, it was its own independent town until 1888. Carpesa is surrounded by other towns like Benifaraig, Alfara del Patriarch, and Vinalesa to the north. To the east, it borders Bonrepós i Mirambell and Tavernes Blanques. Pueblo Nuevo is to its east, and Brobotó is to its west. In 2017, about 1,215 people lived there.

Carpesa's Past: A Look at Its History

Carpesa has a long history, going back to Roman times. People used to worship the Roman god Jupiter in this area.

From Farmhouse to Village

During the time of Al-Andalus, which was a Muslim-ruled part of Spain, Carpesa was a simple farmhouse. Later, in the 13th century, King James I took control of Valencia. He gave Carpesa to a knight named Bernardo Vidal de Besalú. This event is written down in an old book called the Llibre del Repartiment.

However, Vidal soon sold Carpesa back to the king. On May 29, 1246, the king gave Carpesa to the Knights Templar. This was a famous group of warrior monks. They placed Carpesa under the control of their base in Russafa. Some records say that the first Christian settlers arrived in Carpesa in 1243. After the Knights Templar, Carpesa became part of the Order of Montesa.

Becoming an Independent Town

In 1574, Carpesa's local church became linked to Mirambell and Casas de Bárcena. Carpesa became an independent municipality, or town, when the old system of Lordships ended. At that time, Carpesa had about 600 people, over 100 houses, and two schools. It stayed an independent town until 1898. Then, it became part of the larger city of Valencia.

Where Does the Name Carpesa Come From?

The name Carpesa likely comes from very old languages spoken before the Indo-European languages arrived. It might be linked to the word K to R, meaning "stone." The ending -esa is similar to other old place names like Oropesa and Manresa. Another idea is that the name comes from the Latin word carpere, which means "to take."

Carpesa's Economy

Carpesa is very close to the big city of Valencia. This closeness affects its economy. Sometimes, it's hard for young people to find housing or for new businesses to start. This is because the village is so near a large city.

Carpesa's Culture

Carpesa is known for keeping its cultural traditions alive. One of the most famous is the Falles de Valencia. This is a big festival with huge sculptures that are later burned. Carpesa also celebrates its own patron saint festivals, called Fiestas Patronales, which started in 1731.

The village has several cultural groups. These include the "El Carpesano" Bullfighting Cultural Association, a Club for Retired and Pensioners, a music band with Drums and Cornets, and a Hockey Club. Carpesa also has a branch of the Universidad Popular. This is a place where people can take part in cultural events and training courses.

See also

In Spanish: Carpesa para niños