Madrigal de las Altas Torres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madrigal de las Altas Torres
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| Country | Spain | |
| Autonomous community | Castile and León | |
| Province | Ávila | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 106.80 km2 (41.24 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 809 m (2,654 ft) | |
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 1,440 | |
Madrigal de las Altas Torres means "Madrigal of the high towers" in English. It is a small town in Spain. You can find it in the province of Ávila, which is part of the Castile and León region.
This town covers an area of about 106.80 square kilometers. In 2019, about 1,415 people lived there. Madrigal is located at the very northern tip of the Ávila province. It is close to the provinces of Salamanca and Valladolid.
The town's name, Madrigal, was first used a long time ago in the Middle Ages. The "high towers" part was added much later. Madrigal used to be a small village. It became a more important town in 1017. This was when it received special rights called a fuero. The town later became very important to the House of Trastámara, a powerful royal family in Spain.
Exploring Madrigal's History
Madrigal de las Altas Torres has a rich history. In the Middle Ages, strong walls surrounded the town. These walls were built in a nearly circular shape. Today, you can still see parts of these old walls. The best-preserved section is in the southwest.
After the 1950s, many people moved away from Madrigal. This is known as a rural flight. It means people moved from the countryside to bigger cities. In September 2020, the historical center of Madrigal was given a special title. It was declared a bien de interés cultural. This means it is a place of cultural interest and is protected.
Famous People from Madrigal
Several important people were born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres:
- Vasco de Quiroga (1477/1479–1565) was a Spanish lawyer and judge. He later became a bishop in Mexico.
- Alonso Tostado (died 1455) was a very smart scholar and writer. He was known for his knowledge.
- Isabella I of Castile (1451–1504) was a powerful queen. She ruled Castile and helped unite Spain. She was born right here in Madrigal.
- Catalina de Balmaseda y San Martín (1543–1594) was a prioress. She was a leader in a religious community.
