La Victoria, Spain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids La Victoria
Municipality
Flag Coat of arms
La Victoria Location in Spain
Country	Spain
Autonomous community	Andalusia
Province	Córdoba
Comarca	Valle Medio del Guadalquivir
Area
• Total	20 km2 (8 sq mi)
Elevation	228 m (748 ft)
Population  (2018)
• Total	2,284
• Density	114/km2 (300/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Victoreños
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	14140

La Victoria is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the province of Córdoba in Spain. In 2011, about 2,336 people lived there. The town covers an area of about 20 square kilometres (7.7 sq mi). It is located 262 metres (860 ft) above sea level. La Victoria is about 29 kilometres (18 mi) away from Córdoba, the capital city of the province.

Population of La Victoria

This section shows how the number of people living in La Victoria has changed over the last eleven years.

Art and Historical Buildings

La Victoria has many important cultural buildings. Because of these, the town is recognized as a historical part of Andalusian heritage.

Geography of La Victoria

La Victoria shares its borders with several other towns. These include La Carlota, San Sebastián de los Ballesteros, and Córdoba. The town is also divided into different areas, like the village of Quintana.

Natural Areas

La Victoria is home to two important natural spaces. These areas show the original plants and trees of the region.

Monte Beneguillas

Monte Beneguillas is a beautiful area with oak trees and thick bushes. It is located on a sunny hillside with steep slopes. This area is a very old example of a Mediterranean forest. It has many oak trees, mastic trees, and olive trees.

Even though it is small (about 1.3 hectares), it is very important. It shows what the original plants in the area looked like before humans changed them. People often visit Monte Beneguillas for fun and outdoor activities.

Dehesa Tocina

Dehesa Tocina is another natural area, located north of La Victoria. It covers about 233.2 hectares. This area has rolling hills and small streams that flow when it rains. It is a landscape with open fields and scattered oak trees.

Some of the largest oak trees in the municipality are found here. Over time, parts of the original oak forest were cleared for farming. You can see how the landscape has changed over the last 60 years in old photos.

History of La Victoria

Most historians believe that La Victoria began when a group of monks, called the Minims of St. Francis of Paula, settled in Córdoba. They wanted to build a convent there. The convent was founded on February 18, 1510.

In 1810, during the War of Independence in Spain, La Victoria was mostly a large olive grove. It was then known as The Guijarrosa. Near the current town was an older area called "The Old Victoria." This area had houses, a wine cellar, and vineyards.

On January 26, 1552, this land was given to the Minim friars. They built a chapel there. Many people who lived in the area got married in this chapel. There was also a cemetery nearby. La Victoria later became its own town, separate from La Rambla. This happened in 1812, during a time of important changes in Spain.

Places to See

La Victoria has several interesting historical sites and buildings.

Chapel House Monks Minimum

This is the "Old Victoria" area, where the town began. It includes old houses, a wine cellar, and vineyards. This land was bought in 1551 and then given to the Minim friars in 1552. It is a very important historical site.

Torre Don Lucas (Don Lucas Tower)

The Tower of Don Lucas was built a very long time ago, during Arab times. Its exact construction date is unknown. It is thought to be from around 808-809 AD. The tower is located northwest of La Victoria. It was built using limestone, sand, and pebbles.

Iglesia de San Pedro de Alcántara (Church of San Pedro de Alcántara)

This church was built in 1818 on land owned by the Order of St. Francis of Paula. The first religious service was held there on August 30, 1818. The church was named after San Pedro de Alcántara.

Ayuntamiento (City Council)

The original City Council building was built in 1926. It has a simple but elegant design that reminds people of older styles. In 2004, the building was made larger by adding a nearby house. However, its original style was kept the same.

Bull Riaza

In 1973, a sculpture of an Iberian bull was found by chance near the town. It was discovered in an area known as Pozo de Riaza. The sculpture is made of white stone and is about five feet long. This ancient artwork is a rare and important archaeological find.

Thunder Stone

The Thunder Stone is a very old and curious rock from prehistoric times. Its shape and size suggest it might have been a menhir. A menhir is a large standing stone placed by people in ancient times. It is thought that this stone might have been a marker next to a road. People might have used this road to carry their dead to the Riaza area, where the bull sculpture was found.

Local Food

The food in La Victoria is very special and has a long history. Many recipes come from old family traditions.

Some popular local dishes include:

• Rosaries and ancient onion sausages: These are types of cured meats.
• Beans palomeras: A traditional bean dish often eaten on farms.
• Potato croquettes: Crispy fried potato balls.
• Melon twisted roll: A unique sweet treat.
• Pig's feet: A traditional meat dish.
• Gazpacho: A cold soup, perfect for warm weather.
• Baked crumbs: A dish made with breadcrumbs.
• Chopped maimones: A local specialty.
• Oranges with cod and onion: A refreshing salad.

For sweets, you can find:

• Bores, flowers, and informers: Traditional pastries.
• Donuts with orange and anise flavors.
• Lard buns filled with chocolate and pumpkin.
• Tortillas and lard muffins made by local women.
• The giant doblaita made for All Saints' Day (November 1).
• Traditional porridge.

Festivals and Celebrations

La Victoria celebrates many lively festivals throughout the year.

Candelaria

On the night before February 1, people light bonfires in the town squares and streets. These fires are fed with olive branches. In the past, people would compete to see who could make the biggest and longest-burning bonfire. Everyone would gather around to enjoy traditional chocolate and sopaipas (a type of fried dough).

Carnival

Carnival is a very popular festival in La Victoria. People dress up in costumes and walk through the streets. They play musical instruments like drums, cymbals, tambourines, and bells. It's a fun and noisy celebration.

Palm Sunday

Long ago, on Palm Sunday, young men would show their feelings to the person they liked. They would leave olive branches and flowers at their windows the night before. If the branch was still there the next day, it meant their feelings were returned. Today, people draw flowers on the doors of those they admire.

Pilgrimage of San Isidro

The first pilgrimage in La Victoria was held on May 15, 1960. A group of people bought a statue of the saint. This group later became the "Chamber of Agriculture." The pilgrimage has been held in different places over the years. Since 2000, it has taken place in the Tocina area.

San Juan Fair

The San Juan Fair is celebrated on June 24, the day of San Juan Bautista. It takes place at the fairgrounds. Young people are chosen as "queens" and "gallants" for the year. The fair includes many fun activities like parades, clowns, magicians, and a bicycle ride. There are also dinners for older people, foam parties, and local championships.

Easter

During Easter week, different religious groups, called brotherhoods, carry their statues through the streets. There are processions on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. These events are very important and solemn for the town.

Feast of the Immaculate

On December 8, the town celebrates the feast of its patron saint, the Immaculate Conception. A procession carries the saint's statue through the town.

Routes for Exploration

La Victoria offers routes for both nature lovers and tourists.

Natural Path

This route connects La Victoria with the nearby towns of San Sebastián de los Ballesteros and La Carlota. It was created to encourage health, sports, and enjoying nature. The path is about 17 km long and takes about 5 hours to walk. Each town has signs with maps and information about the route.

Tourist Route

This route helps visitors explore the town's main sights. You can start at the fairgrounds, where the mysterious Thunder Stone is located. Then, you can walk along the Paseo de la Victoria to Constitution Plaza. Here you will find the Public School Jose Antonio de Valenzuela.

The route continues to the Cemetery of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1925. After the cemetery, you can take a path to the Chapel House Minimum Monks, also known as "The Old Victoria." This is where the town began in the 16th century.

From there, you can walk to Spain Plaza, where the City Hall and the Church of San Pedro de Alcántara are located. Finally, the route leads to the Tower of Don Lucas, an ancient Arab tower with great views.

See also

In Spanish: La Victoria (Córdoba) para niños