Frailes, Spain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frailes
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 Frailes
Location in Province of Jaén (Spain)
Frailes
Location in Andalusia
Frailes
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |
 Andalusia |
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| Province |  Jaén |
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| Comarca | Sierra Sur | |
| Founded | Pre-Roman | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 41,37 km2 (1,597 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 980 m (3,220 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 1,592 | |
| • Density | 40,63/km2 (10,520/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Frailero | |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
23690
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| Dialing code | (+34) 953 59 3x xx | |
Frailes is a small town, also called a municipality, in the Spanish province of Jaén. It's part of the Andalusia region. The town covers an area of 41.37 square kilometers. In 2007, about 1,775 people lived there. Frailes is known because the British writer, Michael Jacobs, wrote about it in his 2003 book, The Factory of Light.
Contents
Exploring the Geography of Frailes
Frailes is located about 89 kilometers south of Jaén, the capital city of the province. It is also 55 kilometers north of Granada, a larger city. Because of this, many people in Frailes often go to Granada for important services.
The town sits high up, at 974 meters above sea level. The area around Frailes includes several smaller places. These include Los Bailadores, Los Baños, Los Barrancos, and Cañada de Alcalá. Other areas are Cañada de Nogueras, Cerrillo el Ciego, Majada Abrigada, El Nogueral, Las Parras, Puerto Blanco, Los Rosales, and La Solana de la Parra. Frailes is found in the Sierra Sur de Jaén mountain range. Its land is mostly made up of mountains.
A Look at Frailes' History
The history of Frailes goes back a very long time, even before the Romans arrived. We know this because old Roman pottery, called Terra Sigillata, has been found here. During the time when Muslims ruled parts of Spain, there isn't much information about Frailes.
Frailes in the Middle Ages
In the 14th century, Frailes became part of the Christian kingdom. On August 15, 1341, King Alfonso XI conquered Alcalá la Real. Frailes was a group of villages that belonged to Alcalá la Real. So, after this conquest, Frailes became part of Castile.
Growth of the Village
In the mid-16th century, a small chapel called the hermitage of Santa Lucia was built. It was located near the first Christian settlements in Frailes. People like Pedro de Valencia helped to build it. By 1621, the area around the hermitage was called Huerta de Santa Lucía. More and more people started to settle there. By the end of the 18th century, this hermitage became the main church for the area. This made it the center of the village.
Frailes in Modern Times
In the 19th century, Frailes became a popular place to visit. This was because a spa resort opened at Ardales, right at the entrance to the village. In the early 1900s, the town was very lively and prosperous. However, after the Spanish Civil War and when many people moved from the countryside to cities, Frailes' population dropped. It went down to about 2,000 people, which was half of its previous size.
Delicious Food of Frailes
The food in Frailes is very traditional and reflects its rural background. Many dishes use pork. You'll find traditional blood sausage, chorizo, and salchichón.
Popular Dishes and Desserts
Other popular dishes include beans stew, ropavieja, and migas. You might also try encebollado, collejas omelette, or remojón, which is a salad with an orange base.
For desserts, some favorites are mantas, borrachuelos, polvorones, and guindas en aguardiente (cherries in brandy). Many meals are enjoyed with local wine. This wine is known for its good quality. Because of this, Frailes hosts many cultural and food events each year.
Fun Festivals in Frailes
Frailes celebrates several lively festivals throughout the year.
- Fiesta del Vino (Wine Festival): This festival happens in the first half of March. It combines culture and food, celebrating both the past and present of Frailes' wine tradition. This tradition started in the 18th century.
- Romería to the Virgen de la Cabeza hermitage: On the last Sunday of April, people go on a Romeria (a religious pilgrimage) to Hoya del Salobral. This is to celebrate the day of Jaén's patron saint.
- August Festival: A fun fair and a popular 'verbena' (a lively evening party) are held in Mecedero. This helps people relax and enjoy themselves during the hot Andalusian summer.
- Festival in honor of San Pedro: This festival takes place on June 29th. It is held in Spring to celebrate the day of Frailes' patron saint.
- Festival in honor of Santa Lucía: On December 13th, Frailes celebrates its other patron saint. Saint Lucy is known as the protector of sight. To honor her, there is a special mass and a procession.
See also
In Spanish: Frailes (Jaén) para niños
