Sagra, Alicante facts for kids
Sagra is a small village in the province of Alicante. It is part of the Valencia region in Spain. The village covers about 5.6 square kilometers. In 2011, around 454 people lived there.
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Where is Sagra?
Sagra is one of 33 towns in the Marina Alta region. This area is in the north of Alicante province. It is not far from the sea. The village sits in the La Rectoría valley. The Girona river flows through this valley towards the sea.
Mountains surround Sagra. These include Cabal (596 meters high) and Mortit. The Sierra de Segaria mountain range is also nearby. These mountains are part of the Betica mountain system. This system starts in Gibraltar. It goes all the way to Alicante. Then it dips into the Mediterranean Sea. It reappears in the Balearic Islands.
Sagra is an important crossroads. It is on the road between Pego and Callosa. It also serves as an entrance to the towns of Rectory and Ondara.
A Look at Sagra's History
Sagra was once an old Islamic farm. In the 1200s, it changed owners several times. King James I confirmed its ownership in 1249. Later, in 1341, the Order of Santiago bought it. They built a palace there. They also set up a special area called the "encomienda de Sagra."
An important historical document comes from Sagra. The term "Catalan language" was first written here. It was in a letter about Sagra's assignment to the Order of Santiago. A notary named Bernat de Soler signed it.
In 1535, Sagra became part of Ràfol de Almunia. Later, it became its own parish. Other towns like Tormos and Benimeli joined it. At that time, Sagra had 16 houses of new Christians.
Sagra's history is linked to its neighbors. The area was home to many ancient groups. These included Iberians, Celts, and Romans. Muslims later came and settled there. This was a big change for the region.
How Sagra Was Repopulated
The Order of Santiago needed to repopulate Sagra. So, in 1610, they signed a special document. It was called the Puebla Charter. This document helped new people move to the town. It was signed on February 7, 1610. Don Pedro de Guzmán y de Rivera signed it. He was a commander of the Order of Santiago.
The charter listed the first new families. They came from places like Pozorubio and Lorca. For example, Martín Hernández and Gabriel Serrano came from Pozorubio. Juan de Molina came from Lorca.
The charter was changed and confirmed later. A second one was signed in 1611. King Felipe III approved both charters in 1613. These documents helped Sagra grow and thrive.
People in Sagra Today
In 2017, Sagra had 393 people living there. About 25% of them were from other countries. Many of these residents were British. The town has a population density of about 70 people per square kilometer.
Fun Times in Sagra
Sagra celebrates many exciting festivals throughout the year!
- San Antonio Abad Festivities: These happen the weekend after January 17. A different street hosts them each year. People enjoy bonfires, music, and food. There's also a special blessing for animals.
- Patron Saint Festivities: These are in the second week of August. They honor San Sebastián and other saints. Highlights include community dinners and parades. There are also "correfocs" (fire runs) and paella cooking contests.
- San Dominguito de Val Festivities: This festival is for the children of Sagra. It takes place on the last weekend of August. Kids enjoy a parade, mass, and popular food. There is also special entertainment just for them.
Important Places to See
Sagra has several interesting buildings and spots.
Parish Church of San Sebastián Mártir
This church was built in the 1500s. Archbishop Juan de Ribera ordered it. He wanted a new church dedicated to San Sebastián. The church has a rectangular shape. It has a main area and chapels.
- Main Altar: This beautiful altar was made in 1846. It was later made bigger in 1902. It has many images of saints. These include San Sebastián and the patron saints.
- Chapel of the Holy Christ of Consuelo: This chapel is very tall. It is one of the largest in the church. It holds a special statue of Christ. This statue is carried in August processions.
- Communion Chapel: This chapel was decorated when the parish was created. It was restored in 2001. It holds a relic of a former priest of Sagra.
- Bell Tower: The bell tower was built between 1810 and 1858. It was updated in 1997. It has a unique clock. This clock can be seen from two different streets.
Town Hall
The Town Hall is in the main square. It opened in 1993. The building was once a private home. It belonged to an engineer named Pompilio Alcaraz. The architect Eduardo Beltrán Ruiz redesigned it. He mixed the old style with new features. The building has many windows. This connects it well with the town. Besides offices, it has a reading room. There is also a computer room and a social center.
Plaça de Les Fonts
This is the town's main gathering place. It is where underground water streams meet. The "Fuente de los Cuatro Chorros" (Fountain of Four Jets) is here. The water then flows to water Sagra's gardens. This square was created around a fountain in the early 1900s. Since 1985, the Paella Day is celebrated here. The square was renovated in 1992.
Famous People from Sagra
- José Albiñana Rubio (1819–1879): He was a Spanish photographer. He was one of the first to use a special camera called a daguerreotype. He had a famous studio in Madrid. He even took pictures for Queen Elizabeth II.
- Fernando García Sendra (1905–1936): He was a priest in Sagra. He was beatified in Rome in 2001.
- Salvador Carrio Rovira (1853–unknown): He was known as "El Zurdo." He worked as a "muleteer." This meant he transported goods and people by carriage. He founded the Autocares Carrió, S.L. company.
- Redmond Gallagher (1914–2006): He was an Irish businessman. He led the Urney Chocolates company. He also loved motorsports.
Images for kids
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Inside the church of San Sebastián in Sagra.
See also
In Spanish: Sagra para niños
