Madaria facts for kids

Madaria is a small village in Spain. It's one of 24 villages that belong to the municipality of Ayala. This area is part of the Basque Country, which is a special region in Spain.

Madaria's Location

Madaria village is found at the base of Mount Ungino. This mountain is just north of the Sierra Salbada mountain range. Madaria shares its borders with other villages. To the north, you'll find Salmantón and Menoio. To the east are Maroño and Aguiniga. Salmantón is also to the west.

The village has houses built along a road coming from Maroño. These homes are on a gentle slope facing west. Madaria has two main parts, or neighborhoods. One is called Obaldia. It's at the entrance of the village and was once home to an old monastery. The other part is Txabarri, which has the last houses before the mountains begin.

Madaria's History

For a long time, this area was known as Madaria Obaldia. In the year 864, a leader named Count Diego Porcellos gave some monasteries and land to a place called San Millan de la Cogolla. This land included Obaldia.

Later, in 1095, more agreements were made. The land was given to the Bishop of Calahorra, Don Pedro de Nazar. Then, in 1114, Don Diego López de Lejarzo gave two churches, Santa Cecilia and San Clemente de Obaldia, to the San Millán monastery. These churches came with their lands. One of the people who witnessed this was Don Sancho Garcia de Obaldia. This shows that the church in Obaldia, which later became Madaria, was closely connected to the San Millán monastery. Monks from there served the church.

Around 1830, the church was still called "parish church of San Clemente monastery of Obaldia." It was a special church not under the usual church rules. A few years later, after some changes in the church system, it joined the regular church organization. Priests from Salmantón and Maroño then served it.

Politically, Madaria was part of a group called the Sopeña Gang. This was one of five groups that made up the region of Aiara. In 1841, when new local governments were created, Madaria became part of the City of Ayala/Aiara.

How Madaria's Population Changed

The number of people living in Madaria has changed a lot over the years. Here's a look at how the population grew and shrank:

• In 1562, there were 12 "neighbors." This usually meant 12 households or families.
• By 1725, there were 8 families who owned land, plus others living with them.
• In 1748, the number of families went up to 11.
• By the late 1700s, it was back down to 8 families.
• In 1802, there were still 8 families.
• By 1848, there were 9 families and 38 people living in 10 houses.
• In 1900, the total population was 24 people.
• By 1930, only 16 people lived in three houses. The Txabarri neighborhood was empty, and only two houses in Obaldia were lived in.
• In 1950, the population slightly increased to 20 people.
• In 1960, there were 18 inhabitants.
• By 1970, it was 16 people.
• In 1982, only 14 people lived there, making up 2 families.
• In 1986, the population went up a bit to 17.
• In 1991, there were 17 people living in 3 homes.
• By 1993, the population remained 17.
• In 2002, the population had dropped to 10 people.

See also

In Spanish: Madaria para niños