Llíria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Llíria
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| Liria | ||
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 Llíria
Location in Spain
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| Country |  Spain |
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| Autonomous community |  Valencian Community |
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| Province | Valencia | |
| Comarca | Camp de Túria | |
| Judicial district | Liria | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 228 km2 (88 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 164 m (538 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 22,972 | |
| • Density | 100.75/km2 (261.0/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | VA: Llirià, lliriana; ES: Liriano, liriana | |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | |
| Postal code |
46160
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| Official language(s) | Valencian language, Spanish | |
Llíria (Valencian pronunciation: [ˈʎiɾia]; Spanish: Liria) is a town in Spain, located north of Valencia. It is known as the musical capital of its region. In 2019, Llíria was named a Creative City of Music by UNESCO. This means it's recognized for its strong musical traditions and how music helps the community.
Contents
Exploring Llíria: Location and Economy
Llíria is the main town in the Camp de Túria area, which is part of the Valencia province. It is about 25 kilometers (15 miles) north-west of the city of Valencia. The town is 164 meters (530 feet) above sea level.
For a long time, Llíria's economy was mostly based on agriculture. This means farming was very important. Today, other industries are growing, like making textiles (cloth), building materials, plastics, and furniture. You can reach Llíria by train, as it is the last stop on the Metrovalencia train system.
A Look Back: History and Buildings
Ancient Edeta: Before the Romans
Underneath modern Llíria are the remains of a very important ancient city. This city was called Edeta. It was the main center for a large area called Edetania. This territory stretched between the Júcar / Xúquer and Palància rivers.
Edeta was built on a hill called Sant Miquel. This hill overlooks the current city. The city was moved down the hill to its present spot after Roman soldiers destroyed it in 76 BC. This move was ordered by a Roman general named Quintus Sertorius.
Roman Llíria: An Important City
During the time of the Romans, Llíria was as important as other big cities like Valencia or Sagunt. Many Roman objects and buildings have been found here. These include a large Roman leisure center. It had a temple, shops, swimming pools, and hot baths.
Archaeologists have found amazing treasures in Llíria. One discovery was a huge collection of about 6,000 silver coins. These coins were made between the first and third centuries. It's known as the Treasure of Carrer Duc de Llíria.
Another exciting find was a mosaic showing the The Twelve Labours of Hercules. This beautiful artwork was found in a Roman home. You can see it today at the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid. Llíria also has its own archaeological museum. It displays images from the original mosaic and other Roman items found in the town.
Medieval Times: The First Church
The first church in Llíria was built in 1238. This happened after King James I of Aragon won a victory over the Moors and took control of the Valencian region. The Church of the Blood (església de la Sang) was built where a mosque once stood. It is a great example of Valencian Gothic architecture. You can still see some parts of the original mosque.
In 1919, this church became a National Monument. It was the first religious building in the Valencian Community to get this special honor. The church has been restored and is now open for people to visit.
Llíria's Weather: A Mediterranean Climate
Llíria has a Mediterranean climate. This means it usually has mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Because it's inland, winter nights can sometimes be cool. Snow is very rare here.
The average temperature in January is about 10-11° C (50-52° F). In July and August, it's warmer, around 26-29° C (79-84° F). Rainfall can be unpredictable. However, heavy rain showers are common in September and October.
People of Llíria: Population Growth
Llíria has about 24,000 residents as of 2022. The town and its nearby areas are growing very quickly. This means more people are moving to Llíria. The largest groups of people who have moved here from other countries are from Morocco, Romania, and the United Kingdom.
Fun Times: Festivals in Llíria
Llíria has many exciting festivals throughout the year. These are special times when the community celebrates with traditions and events.
- Holy Week in Llíria: This is one of the most important and oldest celebrations in the city. It takes place between Friday of Sorrows and Resurrection Sunday. During this week, there are many detailed processions. People carry "imágenes," which are lifelike sculptures of scenes from Jesus's life and the Virgin Mary.
- Saint Michael's Festival: This festival is celebrated on September 29th.
- Saint Vincent's Festival: This takes place on the Monday after Easter.
- Festival of the Immaculate Conception: Celebrated at the end of August.
- Festival of Our Lady of the Remedy: Held in mid-September.
- Taurine Week: This festival happens during the first week of October.
The Sound of Llíria: Music Capital
Music is a huge part of Llíria's identity. Thousands of people in the town play musical instruments. Llíria is famous for its two rival wind orchestras, or bands.
- The first band, the "Banda Primitiva", was started in 1819.
- Later, in 1903, some members formed a new group called the Unió Musical, creating a friendly rivalry.
Llíria also has its own music school, the Conservatory of Lliria. The city council created this public center in the 1990s.
Speaking in Llíria: Languages Used
Both Spanish and Valencian are spoken in Llíria. Valencian is a language closely related to Catalan. While both are official, fewer people are speaking Valencian at home. This is because Llíria is becoming more connected to the larger, Spanish-speaking city of Valencia.
Learning in Llíria: Schools
Llíria has several schools for children and teenagers. They offer education in both Spanish and Valencian languages.
- Spanish-language grant-aided schools: El Prat
- Valencian-language grant-aided schools: La Unió
- Spanish language church schools: Francisco Llopis and Santa Ana
- Spanish & Valencian language state schools: Sant Vicent, Sant Miquel, Camp de Túria, and Laurona.
See also
In Spanish: Liria para niños
