Melide, Spain Facts for Kids

Ayuntamiento square of Melide

Old lion statue in Melide

Melide is a lovely town in northwest Spain. It is located in the Galicia region, within the province of A Coruña. Melide covers an area of about 101 square kilometers. Around 9,000 people live here, spread across 26 small communities called parishes. The town is about 456 meters above sea level.

Melide's Population
A Look at Melide's History
Gallery
See also

Melide's Population

Melide's population has changed over time. In the early 1900s, more people lived here. For example, in 1940 and 1950, the population was over 10,000. However, like many towns in inner Galicia, Melide saw many people move away. This happened especially from the 1950s onwards. Today, about 9,000 people call Melide home.

A Look at Melide's History

The story of Melide began in the 10th century. Its history is closely tied to the famous pilgrimage route, the Camino de Santiago. This is because two important paths of the Camino, the French Way and the Camino Primitivo, meet right here in Melide.

Building and Losing a Castle

In 1320, the Archbishop of Santiago, Berenguel de Landoira, gave Melide a special permission. This allowed the town to build a castle and walls to protect itself. It also allowed them to collect taxes.

However, in 1467, a group called "os irmandiños" fought against the power of Archbishop Alonso II Fonseca. During this uprising, the town's walls and castle were destroyed. After this, the Catholic Monarchs (the King and Queen of Spain at the time) made a rule. They said no more fortresses could be built in Melide.

People Moving Away

For many centuries, Melide, like other towns in inner Galicia, saw many of its people leave. Before the 1950s, many moved to countries like Cuba and Argentina. Later, people moved to places like Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and other big cities in Spain, such as Barcelona, Bilbao, and A Coruña.

Melide's Economy Today

Today, Melide's economy is based on a few main things. Farmers work with agriculture, and there's a big focus on processing meat. More recently, tourism has also become an important part of the town's economy. Many pilgrims still visit Melide as they walk the Camino de Santiago.