Coy, Spain facts for kids

Coy is a small town in Spain, located in the province of Murcia. It's part of the larger area called Lorca. About 511 people live here, and it's about 22 miles north of Lorca. Long ago, Coy was known for its metals. Today, it's famous for its delicious wine and traditional handmade crafts.

Where is Coy Located?

Coy is nestled on the side of the Peak of Coy mountain. It's also near the "Saw of the Lavia" and a natural spring. A flat area called the Plateau of Coy starts here. This plateau has dry riverbeds that stay empty all year. The Turrilla River, which flows into the Guadalentin River, also begins in this area.

What's the Weather Like?

The Plateau of Coy has a climate similar to the Mediterranean Sea. Winters are cold, and sometimes it even snows! Summers are warm during the day, but the evenings are usually cool. Coy doesn't get much rain. Most of the rain falls in spring or autumn, making the climate very mild for the rest of the year.

How Many People Live Here?

Most of Coy's population lives in the town center. In 2005, about 512 people lived in Coy. This means there were about 17.7 people per square kilometer. The number of men and women in the town is pretty even.

Coy's Ancient History

The name "Coy" comes from the Latin word "collis," which means "hill." So, Coy basically means "hill" or "hills." It's also believed that the last name De Los Santos might have started here.

Coy has a very long and interesting history. Many archaeological finds have been discovered here. One important site is Cerro de Las Viñas, which means "The Hill of the Vineyards." This was a town from the Bronze Age and is famous around the world.

Another site is Fuentecica, an Iberian burial ground. A famous steel pillar called the León of Coy was found here. This pillar is now in the Archaeological Museum of Murcia. There was also a Roman town where a sculpture of the Roman god Mercury was found. This statue is now in the Archaeological Museum of Lorca.

Coy Through the Ages

During a time when the Muslem faith was strong in the region, a group of Moorish people in the Kingdom of Murcia focused on farming in Coy. Their castle controlled a large area. After the Reconquista (when Christian kingdoms took back land from the Moors), Coy became a border area with the Kingdom of Granada.

Alfonso X of Castile made Coy a partner town to Lorca. However, Coy's castle was destroyed in the 14th century. Coy was once the third most important place in the area, after Lorca and Port Louvres. It even had its own convent. Over time, the lead and silver mines in Coy ran out. Because it was hard to get to Coy, its rich resources were eventually forgotten.

Some of the homes in Coy are built on the hillside. They have narrow streets, slopes, and small alleys. The Hill of The Vineyards (an ancient town site) and the Church of San Jose of Coy (a beautiful old church) are very important to the people who live here.

What is Coy's Economy Like?

Coy's economy is based on making textiles, especially traditional carpets called jarapas. Farming is also important, with a focus on growing grapes for handmade wine. Almond trees, green coffee beans, and other crops are also grown. There are also farms with pigs, chickens, and sheep.

Recently, rural tourism has become very popular in Coy, showing a bright future for the town. The Casa Grande hostel, built in the 18th century, attracts many visitors. People also enjoy the artificial beach and the charm of the many rural houses.

See also

In Spanish: Coy para niños