Torrijo del Campo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Torrijo del Campo, Spain
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 Torrijo del Campo
Location in Spain
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| Country | Spain | ||
| Autonomous community | Aragon | ||
| Province | Teruel | ||
| Comarca | Jiloca | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 43 km2 (17 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 923 m (3,028 ft) | ||
| Population
(2018)
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| • Total | 447 | ||
| • Density | 10.40/km2 (26.9/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) | ||
Torrijo del Campo is a small town in Spain. It's located in the province of Teruel, which is part of the Aragon region. In 2018, about 447 people lived there.
Contents
A Look at Torrijo del Campo's History
How Torrijo del Campo Got Its Name
The town's name has changed over time. Between 1495 and 1646, it was called Torrijos. Later, from 1713 to 1797, it became Torrijo. The part del Campo was added in 1834.
The name comes from a Latin word meaning 'turret'. This suggests the town might have been a lookout post. It could have watched over borders during old conflicts. These were fights between the Crown of Aragon and the Crown of Castile.
Torrijo's Place in History
Torrijo was part of the sesma of the Jiloca river. A sesma was a type of administrative area. It belonged to the Community of Villages of Daroca by 1280.
Over the years, Torrijo was linked to Daroca in different ways. It was a village until 1711. Then, in 1785, it became a 'place'. By 1834, it was a town in the Calamocha area.
Ancient Discoveries in Torrijo
Archaeologists have found signs of ancient people living here. At a place called Cerro del Moro, they found an old cemetery. Pottery pieces were discovered there. This area was shaped like an oval. It had a hollow in a rock, possibly used as a water tank.
More ancient pottery was found in the Eras area. This included pieces from the Iberian people. Medieval pottery was found in the Masada area. Another Iberian site is called La Balseta.
In 1996, a special bronze plaque was found. It had Iberian writing on it. This plaque, known as the Bronze of Torrijo, is now studied at the Teruel Museum.
The Lost Town of Villaverde
Another important old site is Villaverde. This was an Iberian town that is no longer inhabited. Pieces of Roman and medieval pottery have been found there.
Villacadima: A Medieval Mystery
Between Torrijo and Monreal del Campo, there was a medieval town called Villacadima. Some old buildings and stone markers from it still exist. These markers even have its name carved on them.
Villacadima was a special place. It belonged to the Catalan de Ocón family. It wasn't under the usual royal or community laws. Because of this, it often became a hiding place for criminals. In 1311, King James II ordered it to join the Community of Villages of Daroca. By the 14th century, Villacadima had disappeared. Its land then became part of Monreal.
Torrijo del Campo's Economy
For a long time, growing saffron was very important here. It was a big part of the economy and traditions. But saffron crops slowly disappeared.
Today, people in Torrijo mainly grow cereals without irrigation. They also have some irrigated gardens, meadows, and forest areas. Raising animals is also a big part of the economy. There are many farms for pigs, sheep, cows, and rabbits.
Many people from Torrijo also work in nearby towns. They go to Calamocha and Monreal del Campo. This helps families earn more money.
Town Symbols: Coat of Arms and Flag
The town of Torrijo del Campo has its own special symbols. These are a coat of arms and a flag. The town council started the process to get them when Miguel Ángel Meléndez was mayor.
The Government of Aragon officially approved them in 1997.
The Coat of Arms
The coat of arms is green. It shows a golden tower with a round base. The tower has black battlements and blue windows. Below the tower, there are two small shields. These shields show the Royal Sign of Aragon. At the very bottom, there are two more blue shields. On top of the main shield is an open Royal Crown.
The Flag
The flag is blue and is two-thirds as long as it is wide. In each corner, there is a small shield with the Royal Sign of Aragon. On the left side, there is a yellow tower. This tower has a green door and windows. It is placed inside a white diamond shape. This part of the flag is one-third of its total length.
Important Places to Visit
- Catholic Parish Church of San Pedro: This church was built in the 18th century.
- Hermitage of San Fabián and San Sebastián: The original building was destroyed in the 15th century. The current one was built in the 20th century.
- Hermitage of Santa Bárbara: This small chapel dates back to the early 20th century.
Famous People from Torrijo del Campo
Many interesting people have connections to Torrijo del Campo.
Leaders and Politicians
- Francisco Cabello Rubio: He was a politician and lawyer from Aragon. He served as Civil Governor in several provinces. Later, he became the Minister of the Interior in 1840.
- Gabriel Campo Arpa: His son, José Campo Pérez, became the Mayor of Valencia. King Alfonso XIII made José the Marquis of Campo in 1875.
- Pedro Campo Arpa: He was Gabriel Campo Arpa's brother and a military officer. He helped sign the final agreement of the War of Independence of El Salvador. His son, Rafael Campo Pomar, later became the president of El Salvador.
Religious Figures
- Friar León Villuendas Polo: He was a professor in Rome and worked in the Holy Land. He became the Bishop of Teruel in 1944.
- Julián Torrijo Sánchez: He was recognized as a blessed person by Pope John Paul II in 2001.
Artists and Athletes
- José María Julve Terrado and Jesús Benito Rubio: These are singers from the area.
- Antonio Edo Martín: He was a blacksmith whose amazing metalwork has been shown in exhibitions. His art was even chosen for a special show in Barcelona.
- Teo Edo Farré: He is a swimmer whose family comes from Torrijo del Campo. He competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He finished 24th in the 1500-meter freestyle race.
Scholars and Scientists
- Calixto Plumed Moreno: A professor at the San Juan de Dios University School of Nursing and Physiotherapy.
- Julio Palacios Martínez: A well-known scientist and member of important Spanish academies.
- Pascual Rubio: A professor at the University of Zaragoza who teaches about geography.
- Francisco Gascón Latasa: A Physics professor at the University of Seville.
See also
In Spanish: Torrijo del Campo para niños
