Huéscar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Huéscar
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
.png) |
|||
|
|||
.png)
Location of Huéscar
|
|||
 Huéscar
Location in Spain
|
|||
| Country |  Spain |
||
| Autonomous community |  Andalusia |
||
| Province | Granada | ||
| Comarca | Comarca de Huéscar | ||
| Judicial district | Huéscar | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 468 km2 (181 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 953 m (3,127 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
|
|||
| • Total | 7,367 | ||
| • Density | 15.741/km2 (40.77/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Oscenses | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
| Postal code |
18830
|
||
| Dialing code | (+34) 958 | ||
.svg)
Huéscar (Latin: Osca) is a town in the province of Granada, Spain. It is known for its interesting history and beautiful natural surroundings. The town is located in a region called the Granada Geopark, which is famous for its ancient landscapes and fossils.
History of Huéscar
Ancient Times: Roman Influence
Long ago, when the Iberian Peninsula (where Spain is today) was taken over by the Romans, Huéscar was a town called Osca. It was part of the Roman province of Hispania Baetica. This shows that people have lived in Huéscar for a very long time.
The Forgotten War with Denmark
One of the most unusual stories about Huéscar involves a "war" with Denmark. This happened during the Peninsular War, when Spain was fighting against Napoleon. Some Spanish soldiers were in Denmark–Norway, which was allied with France. This meant the Spanish soldiers suddenly found themselves in enemy territory.
Many Spanish soldiers were able to escape or were rescued by the United Kingdom. However, about 5,000 Spanish soldiers were held captive in Denmark. Because of this, Spain stopped all official relations with Denmark.
Huéscar's Declaration of War
When the City Council of Huéscar heard this news, they made a big decision: they declared war on Denmark! At that time, Huéscar was a small village with only eight local guards. So, no troops were ever sent to fight Denmark. Denmark also did not send any troops to fight Huéscar.
Peace After 172 Years
Over time, the declaration of war was completely forgotten by both sides. Huéscar simply forgot to declare peace! Then, in 1981, a local historian found the old declaration of war. This led to a special event on November 11, 1981.
The mayor of Huéscar and the Ambassador of Denmark met to sign a peace treaty. It was a big celebration! Some Danish representatives even wore Viking costumes. Spaniards put up funny signs in Danish, jokingly warning people not to enter "enemy territory." No one was ever hurt during these 172 years of "war."
Tourism and Natural Beauty
Main Landmarks to Visit
The most important building in Huéscar is the collegiate church of Santa María la Mayor. This beautiful church was designed by Diego de Siloé in the 1500s. It is a great example of old Spanish architecture.
Exploring the Granada Geopark
Huéscar is located within the Granada Geopark, which became an official Geopark in 2020. A Geopark is a special area recognized by UNESCO for its important geological heritage. It's a place where you can learn about Earth's history through its rocks and landscapes.
The First Settlers Great Path
The Geopark has made Huéscar a starting and ending point for a long walking trail. This trail is called the "First Settlers Great Path" and is about 143 kilometers long. The name comes from the fact that many signs of Early humans have been found in this area.
Paleontology and Ancient Life
The region around Huéscar has many interesting geosites. These are places where you can find evidence of ancient life, like fossils. This makes the area important for Paleontology, which is the study of fossils.
Sister Cities
Huéscar is twinned with another city. This means they have a special friendship and often share cultural events.
Notable People
- Esther González (born 1992), a famous footballer who plays for the Spain national team.
Images for kids
-
A robot illustration, symbolizing learning and discovery.
