Mirat Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
S.A. Mirat

Type	S.A. (corporation)
Industry	Agriculture
Founded	1812
Headquarters	Salamanca , Spain
Area served	European Union and North Africa
Products	Manure, fertilizer, gardening,...
Revenue	€83 million
Number of employees	183

S.A. Mirat, also known as Grupo Mirat (Mirat Group), is a Spanish company. It was started in 1812 in Salamanca, Spain. The company mainly makes manures and fertilizers for farming. Today, Mirat is one of the 100 largest companies in Castile and León. It is also the biggest company in the agricultural (farming) world in the province of Salamanca. Mirat sells its products mostly in Spain and Portugal.

Its special brand, Vitaterra, is the biggest Spanish maker of garden manures and fertilizers. The factories and buildings of Mirat are special. They are the only well-kept examples of 19th-century industry in Salamanca. Inside the factory, you can even find parts of the old Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Victoria (Our Lady of the Victory). This convent was built in the 15th century and belonged to the Order of Saint Jerome.

A Look at Mirat's History
The Old Convent Inside the Factory
What Mirat Group Does Today
Gallery
See also

A Look at Mirat's History

Wood supports from the early 1900s in Mirat's old workshops in Salamanca.

The Mirat company started in 1812. That year, a man named Gregorio Mirat opened a factory in Salamanca, Spain. He made starch there. Over time, the company grew and added new types of business.

In 1841, Gregorio's son, Juan Casimiro, was born. Juan Casimiro would become very important for Mirat's growth. In 1853, Gregorio brought his son into the business. After that, the factory was called "Mirat e Hijo," which means "Mirat and Son."

Juan Casimiro learned a lot during a trip to France. In 1876, he used this knowledge to start exporting products to other countries. In the same year, the factory moved closer to the river Tormes, to the area of the old Convent of Saint Jerome. By 1881, they began making rice starch. This type of starch was important for ironing clothes.

Around this time, Mirat became one of the first factories in Salamanca to use steam power. This was a big step forward! The company also had a storage building near the old main square. In 1902, Casimiro decided to rebuild it and create small hotels. That's why even today, that area is known as "Avenida de Mirat" (Mirat Avenue).

In 1933, the company started working as a cooperative. This means many people worked together and shared the business. By 1963, they began making mixed manures. The Mirat factory building is still a great example of 19th-century industrial buildings in Salamanca.

The Old Convent Inside the Factory

Inside the Mirat factory workshops, you can find parts of the Convent of Nuestra Señora de la Victoria. This convent belonged to the Order of Saint Jerome. It was founded in 1490. After being successful for about 300 years, French soldiers destroyed most of it during the Peninsular war.

After the war, different businesses tried to use the land. They tore down more of the old convent. Finally, the Mirat family bought the area. They started making manures there. They used the parts of the religious building that were still in good shape.

Even today, the factory has parts of the old convent's walls, cellars, and other sections. One amazing part is a huge vaulted arch. It is 3 meters tall! This arch was likely designed by Juan de Álava. He was a famous designer who also worked on the Casa de las Muertes (House of Death) and parts of the University of Salamanca. You can also see other stone designs. Old chimneys, 16th-century workshops, tall brick arcades, and arches show how industry grew in this area.

What Mirat Group Does Today

The Valdeviñas Winery, located in the Ribera del Duero wine region.

The Mirat Group has many different parts, or divisions, that do various things:

Fertilizers: They make products that help plants grow strong and healthy.
Seed: They provide seeds for farmers to plant.
Gardening Division: This includes brands like Vitaterra, Vitaterra Nature, and Mas Plant. Vitaterra is the biggest Spanish company that makes garden manures and fertilizers.
Wineries Valdeviñas: They make wine under names like Mirat, Tinar, and Torrelanga.
Agricultural Machinery: They deal with machines used for farming.
Fuel Distribution: They help deliver fuel.
Bus Lines: They operate bus services.
Service Points: These are places where people can get different services.
Plant Health: They offer products and advice to keep plants healthy and free from diseases.