Guevara, Spain facts for kids
Guevara (also known as Gebara in Basque) is a small village in the Basque Country, Spain. It's located in the province of Álava and is part of the Barrundia area. The Zadorra River flows through this historic village.
Every year on August 15th, the village celebrates a local festival. This special day is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.
A Glimpse into Guevara's Past
Guevara has a long history! We first hear about it in ancient Roman times. Back then, it was part of the land where the Varduli people lived. Some historians think the Varduli might have been Celts. The name "Gebala" was used for the area, which means something like 'head' or 'prominence'. However, we haven't found any old Roman items there yet.
After the Roman period, there aren't many records until the 11th century. That's when Guevara is mentioned again in a document about the counts of Oñati.
Lords and Castles
Guevara became famous because of its powerful lords. These lords played a big role in the Basque Party Wars during the late Middle Ages. These wars were a time of conflict between different noble families in the Basque Country. The lords of Guevara had a very noticeable castle on top of a hill. You could see it from far away!
On this important hill, you can find:
- The Castle of Guevara: This castle was unfortunately destroyed during the Carlist Wars in the 19th century. Now, it stands in ruins.
- Palace of the Guevara family: This grand palace is located at the foot of the hill.
- Church of the Assumption (Iglesia de la Asunción): A beautiful church dedicated to the Assumption.
How Guevara Was Governed
For a long time, a group called the "Brotherhood of Guevara" (Hermandad de Guevara) managed the village. This Brotherhood also looked after nearby villages like Elguea, Etura, and Urízar.
However, in the 19th century, there were big changes to how towns were governed. The Brotherhood became its own municipality (a local government area). But later, in 1885, the municipality of Guevara joined with the larger area of Barrundia.
See also
In Spanish: Guevara para niños
