L'Esquirol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
L'Esquirol
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Municipality
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L'Esquirol
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 L'Esquirol
Location in Province of Barcelona
L'Esquirol
Location in Catalonia
L'Esquirol
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Community |  Catalonia |
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| Province | Barcelona | ||
| Comarca | Osona | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 61.8 km2 (23.9 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 693 m (2,274 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 2,141 | ||
| • Density | 34.64/km2 (89.73/sq mi) | ||
L'Esquirol (Catalan for 'the squirrel', Catalan pronunciation: [ləskiˈɾɔl]) is a small town in Catalonia, Spain. It is located in the Osona region. Until June 4, 2014, this town was known as Santa Maria de Corcó.
Contents
What's in a Name? The Story of L'Esquirol
The name L'Esquirol means "the squirrel" in Catalan. This name came from an old local inn called Hostal de l'Esquirol. This inn was first mentioned in the 1600s.
Some people think the name actually comes from an older Catalan phrase, "es querol." This phrase means "the little rock."
How "Esquirol" Became a Special Word
In Catalan and Spanish, the word "esquirol" can also mean someone who takes the place of workers who are on strike. It's similar to the English word "scab."
There's a story about how this meaning began in the 1800s. Workers at a textile factory in the town of Manlleu went on strike. To keep the factory running, new workers were brought in from L'Esquirol. The Manlleu workers then called these new workers "esquirols" as an insult.
A Look Back in Time: The History of L'Esquirol
The village of L'Esquirol started to grow in the 1400s. It was built along an important road that connected the towns of Vic and Olot.
The very first part of the village formed around an inn. This inn was called the Hostal de l'Esquirol. It was located on a piece of land known as Parai. People quickly started calling the whole village L'Esquirol.
Changing Names: Santa Maria de Corcó
In 1743, the local church parish of Corcó moved to Esquirol. Because of this, the village's other name, Santa Maria de Corcó, was added. This became the official name of the municipality during the time of Francoist Spain.
However, on June 4, 2014, the town officially changed its name back to its original and popular name, L'Esquirol.
Nearby Villages
L'Esquirol is close to several other small villages:
- Cantonigròs
- Sant Julià de Cabrera
- Sant Martí Sescorts
See also
In Spanish: L'Esquirol para niños
