Contamina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Contamina
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Aragon |
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| Province | Zaragoza | ||
| Comarca | Comunidad de Calatayud | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 13 km2 (5 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 37 | ||
| • Density | 2.85/km2 (7.4/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Website | http://www.ayto-contamina.com/ | ||
Contamina is a small town, also called a municipality, in Spain. It is located in the province of Zaragoza, which is part of the Aragón region. You can find it west of the Sierra de Padros mountains.
The town sits in the upper valley of the Jalón River. This river is a branch of the larger Ebro River. In 2018, about 37 people lived in Contamina. This is a much smaller number than in 1930, when 252 people lived there.
Contamina has a beautiful church built in the 1500s. It is dedicated to Saint Bartholomew. The church has a special altar from the same century. This altar shows eight pictures that tell the story of Saint Bartholomew's life.
A book called Secuestro y fonda de Cela en Contamina is set in this town. It tells a made-up story about a famous writer, Camilo José Cela, who won the Nobel Prize in 1989. In the story, three local people kidnap him.
Just two kilometers east of Contamina is the spa town of Alhama de Aragón. A main highway connecting Zaragoza and Madrid passes near the northern edge of Contamina. This area is mostly countryside with farms growing crops and fruit. There is also a restaurant and a casa rural (a type of holiday home) for visitors.
A few kilometers to the southeast, you can find the Tranquera reservoir. Close by is the old Monasterio de Piedra, a monastery famous for its beautiful water gardens.
Contents
History of Contamina
What's in a Name?
The name Contamina might come from an old Latin word. This word, CONDOMIN(I)A, means "joint domain" or "shared land."
Royal Connections
Long ago, Contamina was on the Camino Real. This was a very important royal highway that led to Madrid. In the Middle Ages, it was a place where royal post horses were kept. This means it was a busy stop for messengers and travelers.
In 1361, King Pedro IV gave the land of Contamina to a person named Pedro Carrillo. Later, in 1646, King Felipe IV gave Contamina to Sr. Juan Fernandez de Heredia. He then became known as the Conde de Contamina, which means Count of Contamina.
War and Peace
During the Peninsular War, a famous English lady named Elizabeth, Lady Holland wrote about the Conde de Contamina. She mentioned him in a good way because he supported England against Napoleon.
Later, during the Spanish Civil War, Contamina was in the area controlled by the Nationalist forces. This was a difficult time for many people across Spain.
Fun Fiestas and Celebrations
Contamina celebrates two main festivals each year:
- August 24: This day celebrates Saint Bartholomew, the patron saint of the town.
- First Sunday in October: This festival honors the Virgen del Rosario.
Places Near Contamina
If you visit Contamina, here are some other interesting places nearby:
- Alhama de Aragon
- Ariza
- Cetina
- Monasterio de Piedra
- Nuevalos
See also
In Spanish: Contamina para niños
